ATLANTA (March 1, 2012) – Three key pieces of legislation concerning education program funding and local school board elections will now travel to the House of Representatives after all were successfully passed on the Senate floor yesterday. SB 403, SB 404 and SB 412 were sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta).
“We cannot afford to cut corners with K-12 education, but we can be responsible with our resources. In tough financial times, we need to account for every last cent,” said Sen. Millar. “SB 403 and SB 404 ensure we are using accurate measures to properly fund programs that meet the essential needs of Georgia students.”
“SB 412 will provide local boards of education with more time to implement very specific election requirements outlined in legislation passed in 2011,” added Sen. Millar.
SB 403 would establish a full-time equivalent (FTE) formula for funding school nurse programs in local schools. The formula is based on the number of students enrolled, with elementary schools staffed at a ratio of 1:750 and all other levels staffed at a ratio of 1:1,500. The state would be responsible for 50 percent of the total formula costs, with local schools carrying the remainder. It is required that all school systems receiving this funding invest 100% of the amount earned on salaries and benefits for school nurses.
The bill would also create the position of a school nurse program coordinator within the Department of Education. Responsibilities would include assisting local school systems with implementing school nurse programs, standardizing the health information reports and identifying additional sources of funding for school health nurse programs. SB 403 is based on the recommendations of the State Education Finance Study Commission and passed with a 52-0 vote.
SB 404 would ensure that all education staff development funding is appropriately related to levels of improved student achievement. The amount of professional development funding available for certified and classified personnel will total at least 1 percent of the salaries, and these funds will be distributed to local boards of education.
Beginning in FY 2014, school-level administrators will be counted among the certified and classified personnel. In FY 2015, development funding will equal at least 0.9 % of salaries certified professional personnel, including school-level administrators.
In addition, SB 404 requires the State Board of Education to develop state-wide strategic initiatives for professional development, including core curriculum training and coaching for underperforming teachers. SB 404 was also based on the recommendations of the State Education Finance Study Commission and passed with a 45-6 vote.
SB 412 delays the effective date of a statute enacted by SB 79, a bill signed into law after the 2011 legislative session. The statute requires Georgia counties to follow specific county board of education requirements if it receives revenue from either a homestead option sales and use tax or a county sales and use tax for educational purposes. These requirements will now be implemented on January 1, 2015, rather than the original January 1, 2013 date. SB 412 passed with a 37-17 vote.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 1, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Jennifer Yarber
jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028