ALC-PEER

With that I'm recognized you just kind of walk through kind of what we're doing here today and we'll we'll bring in our medication thank you Mr chair in June LC approved five hundred million in A. R. P. appropriation for the department of education for S. R. grants to local school districts in July ales expunge the vote and moved to have the Department request the appropriation and knew it was recommended that the new request incorporate teacher retention strategies as advising a memo from the US department of education. What today's agenda is requests for is a request for almost two hundred and forty two million appropriation. A hundred forty five million is grants for is for grants to thirty eight school districts that's the first line item in that request ninety six millions departments allocation that's a second line item in the request the two pages behind the request shall have the department will use our allocation of funds the second hand out you have is a schedule as provided by the department it shows the break out of state of the district's responses. Of those thirty eight school districts nine districts had plans that met the LC recommendation five districts revise their plans to meet the LC recommendation and twenty four districts did not revise our plans and justification is provided in the last call links that are plans are also provided in the document. Members I'm assuming you've each had a chance to kind of look through of in the The Addams have been submitted to us for review today or approval and with that I'd be happy to take questions seat. Seventy five I apologize it's it's me Mr chairman. All right represented Wardlaw yes Sir you're recognized check you three no over these request and as you just alluded to I think I got a question for the department maybe from the US going to have the Department come up to be correct. If this is the proper time absolutely Sir. Greg Rogers department education. Ivy Pfeffer department of ed. Mr my god. Thank you so looking at number two I believe the district has Concord when you look over at their justifications is says under number two that they were in the middle of an H. back project to improve air quality in our high school and it was approved by Tim Kaine so what I want to know. Was this project approved and done after the June council meeting or prior to the June council meeting because that money was approved in June. As a As a appropriation so. When when were they approved for this project to be spent was it prior to the appropriation are after the appropriation. Representative of any of the projects that involve facilities had to get prior approval before they can even start so I don't have a listing of when they actually submitted everything to us I don't think you understand what I'm saying you didn't have the approval to spend the money. In this case until June seventeenth or June twentieth whatever that council meeting was in June we rescinded that in July and so we want to see where the money went and that's where we're at today. So how did they have already have the money going to a project that's been in it before you even had the appropriation to spend money I think that would have been from the appropriation that was received and I am July twenty one so this project came to you after June twenty one. And they had already started an H. back program in thirty days so actually what we had we had the appropriate for a a RP funds were last fiscal year to we were going through there plans and see what plans they had obviously H. back could take up to multiple years to do whatever it was so it would have been could have been started in twenty one and Kate Ford twenty two don't know exactly when they got this approval but done that as we go back before that the spending authority that we had the five hundred million dollars and twenty one we were still having to approve plans or review plans those because we can't approve their plans was the sale it means qualification for the A. R. P. that's for funds but on the construction it had to bring before us before they can start construction and one thing just a little bit of clarification I think we keep talking about the Department approving all technically didn't approve anything I don't know that you would have the authority to do an actual provable I mean the only approval that happened would have been the approval the appropriation spend the month moderate I know we keep referencing it to did this have to be approved but this is a district decision that you all reviewed and what you did is leases my understanding is yeah we think it fits the boxes that are outlined by the federal government correct okay and then as far as does that make sense and then the other thing is the schools develop their plan even in advance of the appropriation those route there and there's a lot of confusion I think one reason I want to touch on this is the fed's explicitly said if something changes been injured plan. And I've had districts and teachers and others reach out and say we we've already got our planet's already approved which was never approved by anyone it was reviewed and you know so we're already set in our path will the fed said actually there's something that changes you need to adjust and and move as you need to move based on the needs in your area so the plan that you have thirty days ago may not be the plan that you have today and maybe should not be the plan today and just for clarification for those that may be following along or or you know dissipating because I see posted over and over again that our plan is set in stone and we're done well that is the decision of the school district not with the fed said that you have the latitude to do you can change it if it and it just as needed so for example and one of things I wish we did ask for we did not was what are the vacancies and some these districts that did not utilize the funds for retention bonuses recruitment. If they have a significant number vacancies and used for school buses and HVAC. I mean that that that is probably something that should be flagged and reviewed and and thought about especially inside at the district level again we don't have that information to know perhaps we should be you know seeking or the Department conceded in the future we can get it through a LC but that's that's the gist of what's happening there Mr just to you that is that what you said is is it in a nutshell and the problem is is my school districts think that those plans were approved they don't understand that these as these preparations when approved and I don't understand that the feds did say that you should be able to change those plans as needed so I think what I'm trying to point out is the department trying to give a face a false sense to those districts that their plans were approved and those plans were concrete and they were not so I think that point needs to be made very well known and I agreement and that's one of things we can reiterate to the districts that they have the latitude to change understand someone's in a contract and they ordered school bus six months ago and you know an arm of the obligation to fulfill that contract but if they do have outstanding answer funds I think you've seen it be utilized here by several districts they can pivot and change as needed to you know that fireman that were and that was the whole point of the ESR funds A. R. P. funds was to assist and much more so later on with recruitment and retention with a R. P. funds so I'll be happy to take any additional questions on that. I'm gonna move along to Senator Ingram. Thank you Hey I wanna make sure I understand that that the of course Grega ninety that is the local districts went through of a detailed process to the decide what they're going to do with their answer Arkansans and then once it was up review they were turned loose to spend the money as they saw fit the thing that Senator Dismang just said I want to make sure that I understand because everything that I've read and if been told is that all of this is up to the local school district it's not up to of the legislature or the S. C. eight to decide it yes that local school district up can pay if it can make decisions based on what is important locally but everything I read that it's their decision it's not the decision of the legislature of the state department education up to make them pay of it. Am I missing something here. Senator yes I mean your yes that part of the plant when they made their claims development plans was to receive stakeholder involvement Terry so they had to be working with their communities working within their school district to see what they needed the where they needed to use those as for funds for if during that time the priorities in the school district or seen the change they absolutely could change your plan they've worked with our public school accountability office to update those plans we have plans are done in twenty one that a public school accountability has been going with them and twenty two FY twenty twenty two that were changing them and they're now working with me again in this current and this okay and is this your right now to see if those plans are still holding or if they do need to change how they're using their answer funds I mean I've got a situation where I've got two of my six school districts that had approved projects and is we know I think in the legislature of the local school districts expand the money and then they're reimbursed and and I've got to school districts that had projects that were approved and they're on the hook for the project for the for the money and one of it came down they that they're but they're funds have been frozen to pay for a and a much needed H. fax system and they didn't have the money to pay the subcontractor because the the help money but those are all local decisions not not SCA our legislative decisions of of the opportunity to pivot thank you. Senator Hammer you're recognized for a question thank you Mr so over here too far left. Do you know of any districts that had signed contracts before the five hundred million appropriation was authorized in June. Yes they would have had H. fact situations where they had started in the previous fiscal year working on getting those contracts and together and start the project someone could have started in FY twenty two I don't I don't have a list of those but I'm is Senate there were some that were started okay and then how would they have done that without the approval of the five hundred million appropriation and Jan so and I know that they were exposed to a liability in the event we did something different so we had like so with an FY twenty two we had a did five hundred million for the same program last fiscal year so they would have you been using that five hundred million to start their program then. And then when we came in in June and got the other five hundred and everything was going on that is it should they could still keep going on with those contracts and let me try to clarify that one more time they were obligated to develop a state or a plan for the you know we had a state plan in each district had their own district plan and outline what they one of the priorities to be hopefully most with significant stakeholder involvement okay and so in the end we it may be really the issue was how we did the initial a preparation so you think of it this way there's a state plan out there or there's a state plan always district plans in the the department said you know what we think we need an appropriation for after a billion dollars to allow these districts it's been and we're just going to release as we go along. What you have rainy today is bait you know broken down by district that goes into the total so we know that actual district allocation those prior preparations weren't tied to any specific District correct they are more of the so you know we had three rounds of the S. R. one answer to want is when the A. R. P. as her funds were made that we came over and if you remember we actually came over and asked for the full allocation of the billion dollars and then at the time it was a little hesitation about given the billion dollar corporation so we agree with the five hundred million could get projects started could allow us to reimburse districts that were going on and if the event that we got close to using that five or million we would come back to Pierre again and say we're at that that ceiling we need to get additional funds to get only if we should have been more specific in the beginning and some that confusion will not be here today I think and that's not anybody's fault necessarily but I think that would that way you would have I think your questions be more answers where there was a transient man it was allocated blanket to school districts they you know we we utilize that appropriations request came in but not specific to each school there was an announcmenet sets specific to each school it was that I have a billion dollars an estimated need thank you for the school districts of some used all you know that the other answer money under that initial preparation or close to it some did not it is that Senator Dismang that and the allocations were as originally done in the spring of twenty twenty one and so districts that the amount of money that districts were allocated that was that was out there early on the appropriation amounts were done incrementally so districts were operating under the total amount of money that they're going to have to spend throughout believe it September of twenty twenty four. But the appropriation amounts were what we came to you all in asked for incrementally thank you can I one quick one but the reimbursements to districts had did not have anything to do with the legislature appropriation appropriating the funds is that correct or incorrect. It depends on which part of money we're talking about only if you're talking about the A. R. P. as for funds and yes any reimbursement out of that pot of money this appropriation we would not be able to reimburse the school district right now for right to the to the DSE Fund. So the question is reimbursements did not have anything to do with legislator legislature appropriating funds to the ESC yes we still can't do any reimbursements out of that out of our set aside funds for a RBS funds as well okay thank you. The representative Vaught recognized for a question. Thank you Mr chair of first I'd like to commend schools that actually did what we asked him today but there are schools on here who didn't do. What we ask him today. Okay yet one thing at a if you look at this report is going to say no there's three of them actually a little bit confusing six constante. Cedar is your bill I can remember now that there's three of them they say no that the plans is not initially conform and then they post in the column that says but we are going to adjust their state plan which is where they change their state plan so they are actually the hearing the department's going to ask them to provide just a little bit more clarity so it's easier to understand and read about how they're going to meet that but there are three schools that say no that then follow up is it yes he Ridge cost on Kip are the three that say no but then only provide the change to the state plan without explanation but it's in the home where they say they're they're you know that they like the recommendation and a conforming the recommendation and then can I have can I say something to you that I don't know how to get fixed but I have a school that actually gave bonuses went against what they were being told and gave bonuses and got road up for giving bonuses back in the spring and I think that that should be cleared off of their record and they should not be written up for something that that was actually part of the directive in which they were supposed to be doing in which they were being told by the department that they could not do and got rolled up by the department and I would like for us to find a way to fix that that's part of the reason we're here today in my opinion is we wanted to make sure everyone fully understood how these funds could be utilized I still see posts to date made by teachers that are meeting with their superintendents and their superintendents are telling them that these cannot be used for bonuses still happening today. I think the deal we was very clear and so what I would recommend to that school is there is a place here to make comments those comments and you see it actually I have to find it again and then and who it is a particular that said that they were advised that they could not utilize the funds for the or for up for bonuses you know previously announced some of them are doing it but they were told previously they could and I think it's good information to have on the report thank you sex and then that's where they should listed. Senator Irvin you're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr chair couple questions I had a superintendent ask a question about if this is federal money how can this state retract this. Clearly I hope everyone understands. We have to have an appropriation authority for whether it's federal money or statement any you may need to clarify that with your superintendents. Any spending authority whether it's federal money or state committee requires. Appropriation authority by the legislature. So that's something that you need to make sure your superintendents understand number one number two a question was. What do we do with the people we have hired with S. R. funds. Was there direction from the department of education that they could hire people with S. R. funds these are one time monies why would you hire somebody because then it said what we supposed to do send these people home now when you realize these are one time funds so what is your answer to this because this is what we're dealing with. We're having to answer these questions. That should be. Common sense or how was that not communicated from the department of ed that these are one time monies. And you should not hire and create a financial obligation that's going to have to be sustained using one time monies. We would agree and we did and have conversations with district about and making those hiring decisions so what and what districts were encouraged to do that if they did hire additional staff to address learning laws or to provide tutoring to provide interventions that it was very clear that this was short term and and some of the districts did make some decisions as part of a longer term recruitment plan to hire and teachers who within the filling vacancies that would be for ad coming with retirements later on so and but you are correct districts have to be very careful with using these monies for an ongoing commitment. We'll. There's got to be clear communication between the department of ed and the superintendents. Because what I don't want is them to come back now to us and say well we've hired these people now guess what state legislature you need to continue to maintain it was state general revenue. That's that's not the intention here of what the S. R. funds were supposed to be for and I do not want to see us fall into that trap because that was a that was a poor spending decision as poor choice and for those superintendents and to make if if they can't meet that on going financial obligation. That's on them that was their decision so my last question is on page five under foreman. As superintendent under their additional justification it says it was only until April of twenty twenty two that desi provided some districts with the information that it says bounces I'm assuming that's going to save mean bonuses could be given through a teacher retention and recruitment plant using a R. P. funds. So I think what that refers to so the initial guidance guidance of all I will at for each part of any guidance of fault as that the different amounts of money came out. And. Part of the N. and something that I think helps provide context. When the when the federal guidance was coming out about how things could be spent most states were not back in school even in that at that time and so states like Arkansas started realizing early on that challenges with recruitment and retention because we had people at school and and districts regarding to have issues so that the federal the memo was dated December sixteenth of twenty twenty one and from the federal department of ed in in that memo it outlines example after example after example of schools that did use this money for recruitment bonuses for custodians for bus drivers for people that work in the cafeteria for teachers you name it it provided example after example one was a school in Texas I can I can pull it up and read it to you so my question why then if that came out in December the sixteenth of twenty twenty one did this Mr Tankersley not get notified from desi until April of twenty twenty two that the money could be used for that this would have been April of twenty twenty one because as early as April and may of twenty twenty one we had districts that were providing additional pay whether they call it decisional pay whether they called it bonuses that were targeted for recruitment and retention efforts we were allowing districts to do that back in April and may of twenty twenty one so your aircard down as letter came out in December of twenty one because in April of twenty twenty one there are a lot of states not even in school so our districts we're doing that six months before Secretary card and this letter okay so I'm going off of what he said. So in which was able of twenty twenty two well at we can go back and we have a huge boulder ADD and applications from districts in the spring of twenty twenty one we had multiple districts that we're providing additional pay for teachers at the end of the twenty twenty one school year and then throughout the day the next school year through the spring of twenty twenty two continued okay I mean because if you read down here in contrast a fait it bill school districts. They did use a lot of money for bonuses yes so I am confused that whether are these schools not plugged in are they. That that is a huge problem for me that may be a larger school districts have better communication with you all versus a smaller school district I don't know the answer to that all I know is what I'm reading here which doesn't match up so thank you for the questions. Senator Chesterfield recognized for a question yes thank you Mr chair and thank you for being here Having worked with school districts before school districts in Pulaski County I am aware that they did provide something that was not called bonus but was a bonus. And I'm trying to figure out what they have to be so careful in how they said it. Seven the last one that they got was the cold it incentive if you are able to stay in school for you know I can't if you don't use can covid days then we're going to reward you with you know some some more bonus money so. What what was the confusion why do you have to be stated so specifically because initially there was and a directive we are that the guidance skews me originally the guidance add that the intent of the funds were not to be used for blanket bonuses and however it didn't mean that all types of additional compensation were disallowed and so we and and it also and said that any type of and bonus additional paid for teachers you need to have a plan so districts needed to have an additional plan for if we're giving any kind of compensation using these funds how are we doing it what are the amounts what's the purpose and so again it ties directly into the recruitment and retention efforts and we actually during the twenty twenty one school year districts have less turnover I think everyone kind of hunkered down during has been but then that next school year this past school year is when we've seen a lot of and resignations and retirements so that has the the whole recruitment retention need has become more and more evident over this last school year so that's why I think you seem districts continue on whether it's called bonus additional pay and compensation whether any districts that did not provide that additional pay there's only one district that did not have and that did not use any of their funding for some type of additional pay and the small district that got very little in and it got a very small amount of funds and they used it for and I believe they use that for an H. FAQ projects consent will need your help help me understand where we're going here we have clearly stated Knowles on this page. what do we do going forward because some of these people of obligated funds some of it makes sense to me I'm not sure about others but going for Mister chair what do we anticipate doing in response to those soliciting no up what is the plan and just for some clarification some of those it said no actually came back imposed in the column that they were doing it to know the initial know is does your plan as it's written right now you know I get it okay so I just wanna make sure that the other thing or reading it that way but it you know in is far as our duties here today met in many. There is not a school on this list that has not properly responded each one has given their information out of one of the things at least it was important to me it may not be important others was the requirement of public engagement that was not something that you know just the Department education here said they wanted it was on the federal level also and I think we have brought that conversation to the forefront I'm reading post where we have the disappointing thing is to see when superintendents or school districts mislead their teachers about the possibilities with these funds that's not to say that some of not already been allocated not already been spent an under contract and you see that listed over here I accept that and I understand where they are with the expenditures and their allocation is this your funds so I mean at the end of the day we're going to have some questions maybe someone our members when asked what specific entities but it will be my intent that we approve you know the full amount that's been requested because they have followed the process that was set forth again we don't have the ability to approve specifically how they prove you know spend the funds we are just the ones that approve the preparation as we always are so ultimately after that all the questions are answered. To the satisfaction of the body we will be then moving toward releasing the money is that what you're saying the money for the schools that responded response list and if schools have not responded and then we'll have another meeting we're talking about having one next week but if we could not do that to be the following four A. L. C. my intent as we stated in the beginning was to move all this as quickly as possible okay but also ensure that there was time for some public input that may have not existed prior to us having this session the committee so in essence what we're engaged in is public and collect that that's House Ladyman are too since like everybody else and you know what well we want I'm five hundred million dollars input I was bringing awareness to how the funds are being spent thank you in some districts did a great job of in you can read down through here I wanna see if we had a great job with making sure that they talk to all those that were I can remember the terminology for now but you know those that were in. Part of the district and in that sort of thing that a good job with their outreach programs well I think I have a better idea of where we're going thank you so very much thank you I see fifty two. Senator Elliot. This is how I think my question's answer Justin in your comments just now so I don't think I have a further question. I representatives. Thank you Mr chair on and researchers you and I discussed when this process started we knew that there was going to be two hundred sixty plus different scenarios that that that this committee would be looking at the predicament so they found themselves in an as a member of the adequacy study okay Sherman Cozart I've had multiple conversations about the disparity that our districts are finding themselves in due to the fact that they had been in a pre approved building expansion project and that inflation has increased their cost far above what they have been approved for through that through the cost share program from the state I want to reference first with some leniency a press release from a district that is on this list is actually on page eight of the top southside school district back in November of twenty one they passed a four point eight mill increase in their community to do a thirty nine million dollar building project it was going to start on the elementary buildings moved their middle school or junior high or high schools certainly this forty million dollar building expansion project and I applaud them their community for further investing in our school system of the Department through their facilities team had committed twenty three million dollars to those improvements so they had cost year their partnership funding from the state. I guess what I'm just looking for some clarity on is when I look at their report that they put into this review they found themselves in a very unique situation they represent passed the millage however they found themselves in inflation cost to push for building projects to approx me sixty million twenty million above the original thirty nine million dollar plan this is where I'd like some clarity especially for someone from the facilities division here. Instead they stated superintendent Sturch stated her excuse me Steven stated The facilities division advised us to save as much as possible of our A. R. P. funds to offset inflation cost and that is what the school board stakeholders agreed to do. We have the largest school church because we have the largest school choice population state of Arkansas we did not receive a lot of the RP funds so I receive a block of A. R. P. from as is pro rated down to them based on top of one. However they were in this big building project and they relate they realize inflation is driving that cost up they go to to facilities and say what we do and according to his testimony here facility said don't spend your A. R. P. money set on it and you can use it on this building project and I'm just looking for some clarification as was that part of the guidelines of what a school district could use or A. R. P. money for was expansions of their existing facilities. The representative I don't know that I can add would need to check and see what information was provided to that district specifically so now there no one from facilities here today since a lot of this has to do with disabilities and now we don't have anyone here from facilities and now as far as A. R. P. funds and and the ability to use it for facilities and there are some and some areas obviously where and in in in terms of that building expansion if that connection could be made to co that helping to prevent covid then and we did have cases where some and building projects were and getting used as or funds for at least part of that and but we would we would need to sit down with the specific plan from the district to be able to meet Basel because I know that in conversations against representive Cozart this is a is a real hot button item to him especially being a building contractor in understanding what we're faced with with districts that are in building projects when inflation calls have done to them in their budgets but it seems to me that with a very very detailed list including the fact that funds were were to be used to compensate and recruit a retention but yet we're telling a district don't use your funds set on and basically let's kind of get through this and then you probably going to be able to use these A. R. P. funds to finish out your building project to me that seems a little misleading so I would appreciate some clarity and and that you've offered from facilities and see specifically if that is what they were told I I personally I know the superintendent or southside and and I believe that what is stated to be correct thank you Mr chairman leniency. Thank you seat sixty senator Hammer thank you Mr chair under on the comments from page two of superintendent for everyone who is probably the most directing his comments of all the ones that are made. Says we have eighty eight thousand left we were shafted on the disbursement of all three pots of money received just over seven hundred thousand total from all funds including Esther to supplemental money that was received from the fire from the feds Esther wanted to when I asked the department about potential A. R. P. A. P. R. Esther supplement right after we were notified of our pensions I was told that we were working on something I'd like to hear your input on two things one of the disparity of the funds that were allocated because of being constricted by the of title one formula and the disparity between the schools and the number two implies it's all working on something what is it that you're working on and he says it never came to light. Okay so on the first for your question that disparity between how the funds are allocated based off title one well some schools got more money than others based on their what I understand maybe wrong free and reduced lunch or the formula was passed down some schools got more that they could do more with other schools didn't get as much that they didn't have as much to do with including discussion about bonuses and so you know his opinion I think shared by others is that they were disadvantaged from the beginning so do you have an opinion about that our response to that so the allocations that were given in all three rounds as for funds was based off their title one allocations which is on party account party in the the community not free reduced lunch that we collect anything but how the fed's allocated based on census data all three rounds were done on that with the S. R. to funds we were able to take some funds and ensure that every district got at least six hundred dollars for ATM that because there was such a disparity but between because it's based off how to one I don't know of a plan that we were ever talking about with A. R. P. as for funds. Okay so. Shall the comment I was told we were working on something that never came to light that doesn't originate with you are you all didn't give any indication any departments the something was being worked on I don't know there was a plan that was being worked on to do anything with a a RP as for funds okay let's sing on that is sure to that included a supplement to some of the schools in order to bring about equality as far as at that point time the money that would be used to be able to do whatever projects were approved is that correct. Yes yes we were trying to get up to the six hundred dollars so whatever in their plan that they were approved for the S. R. one R. as and as for two funds they could do their planned to have those additional dollars that school district did get an additional hundred eighty two thousand dollars and in from the second round of funding and they have about six thousand of that remaining. And you got six hundred fifty some sitting in your. In your fund over there far as any contribution to the supplemental column moving forward you had any discussions about that or any thoughts on that thank you Mr. That's a question they don't wanna answer and then on the on a six hundred I don't know where you're. I'm sorry did you okay I've got a copy of your surplus funds that are sent over the department's route six hundred fifty that I'm I'm under the impression it's on allocated or not obligated is that right or is that my operating on misinformation so you're talking about general revenue our fund balance in their general revenue will your fund balance it is sitting over there. I think you're talking with the adequacy fund or the public school from which to the General Revenue. So that would be trying to use the General Revenue to so this bill the total unrestricted fund balance. That I'm looking at she papers as six hundred forty eight million nine hundred eighteen thousand what is what is that number comprised over how's that bounce arrived at that would be the probably the Public School Fund in the adequacy funds which are jobs are revenue accounts all right what are the unrestricted. Yes I mean it depends on a professional level on it I don't know what you're looking at but yes we do have we do usually have a fine balance in both those are thank you thank Mr. Recognized co chair for questions yes thank you and you know that part of my issue as you've heard today it's been you know a simple several school districts in here said they were told they could use the funds for bonuses until recently and I want to go back to something that representative Vaught said talking about one for schools they got written up can you explain what that would have been and that just happened this spring is what I'm told it was the queen's school district. We we're gonna have to follow up on that I don't know of any district that has been written that and I think when we have been asked questions we have district and our team tries to provide information around you know if you're gonna do something what are the all the steps that have to be taken our team has reviewed several and different plans that districts have have drafted around giving additional pay or bonuses so that that's surprising for me to hear and I definitely want to follow that thank you I appreciate if you would when you follow up on that if they were written up I mean please follow up with the chairs and let us know what what they were written up for gives a copy of it just keep us in the loop on that and if if that truly is the case we need to rectify that for the school district all right I will I will follow up and then we will report back thank you any was also brought to my attention after last peer meeting and I can I'll be glad to give you the employee's name off right off off line that had another meeting with supers after the last peer meeting that tell them that they still were not allowed to use these for bonuses. so I would like to provide that to you off line and I'd like to make sure that that does stop so that communication is clear to the school districts hi thank you Mr chair I have a motion I moved to suspend subcommittee rule to regarding placement of items on the agenda for A. R. P. requests for the department of education relating to answer funding for this meeting and all subsequent meetings until the beginning of the ninety fourth General Assembly. Members you for the motion this motion is going to allow us to move. Beginning of the beginning of the ninety fourth gun yet so this is going to allow us to do these preambles as we move through it each meeting or we would have to do it suspend the rules at each meetings but this is going to let us move through more quickly is really for I've got a motion we got a second wind any questions on the motion. represent Dotson you're recognized for a question thank you Mr it is this just related to the A. R. P. or S. or Fund approvals not regular suspension of the rules you know this yeah this is just for these funds that we're talking about here again this is we're not voting on the list quite yet I think you make a motion just a second the that but this is to suspend the rules we can take up that motion to approve the list this in front of us today that allow us to do it every meeting or after at and just a process question for the chair on this list that were we're looking at are we going to be taking a motion on each individual item or now the whole group the whole group but it'll be an understanding. Which is different than what we had before that this is the amount of preparation allocated each school for their particular spent thank you for that allocation didn't exist which is what some of the confusion I think is it up for me and others in the room and probably for school district for that matter Senate just real to you on the motion. Yes. As a matter of process of she did not pass what happens then. Senate me for asking that question we would be able to take up the motion to approve the funds okay today ACT all right all right Senator Ingram you on the motion. Okay represent Dotson you're back on your good in C. forty five which I don't know okay you're gonna you're on this on the motion. Just quickly Mister chair at it these are approved but then the district after the time that the appropriations approved make that change again because they do have local flexibility is there any kind of problem with that they need to come back with a new explanation or new I mean I just I would once we get to that and what happens I hope in one of the things one of this one of the points of this exercise is to bring awareness to the fact that a districts plan can change I'm I went back and look at some district plans that have really never changed since the beginning. The best continue to issue guidance in New recommendations and obviously environment change part of what we're doing so I would anticipate there to be change and I would also anticipate that there is significant public involvement by stakeholders when it changes may as is also required any change has to be posted on the district website what internet posting has to occur every so many days I can remember what it is but yes so that would not be bringing it back before us they have authority to do that they want if they want to come in and tell us that they're going to the five thousand dollar bonuses and then go home and call that back I anticipated as folks that would not be too pleased but that would require some public for that at but if there are circumstances circumstances that injured costs that change or needs that arise between the time we approved and they are able to spend the funds that's okay for them to be able to make those changes without coming back for no they would be advising the department I suppose and then. Yeah to make those changes but no they would not be coming back before us after today thank you. All right and then again that was on the motion that hasn't occurred yet we're talking about the motion to allow us to take up that motion today and so I what I wanna do is right now if you go in there by trial for my you're on your your hot right now it's your turn you off you have a question on the motion to suspend the rules so that we can take up the next motion which would be on the on the school districts and their allocation of the preparation all right seeing none of got a motion I've got a second all those in favor signify by saying aye those opposed motion carries and I'm a recognized you. Reflecting. Yeah and so Senator Ingram you're recognized for a question thank you I just a quick follow up own up center Chesterfield question she talked about of of school districts that come before us of that we approved their use of ESR funds. What about the reverse of what about the school districts that come in front of us that don't meet the guidelines that we set out of our they are going to be denied funds are they going to get their funds or of that that that would be my question we are said if we have the motion to approve twenty four school districts that will not be able to meet the five thousand dollar recommendation again we're not asking or mandating that they do it it's may and if the requirement is that they come before State within ten is what they're doing if they can't do it why and so as long as they need those and we're fine there was one school district that did not respond that way and it was full by the department today and and that's simply because they said no with no other explanation whatsoever I think it's a police it's my opinion that it's important that the stakeholders understand why which I think are the vast majority of you look legitimate reasons but we will not be returning to your question we're going to approve twenty four of those today but but but I but I think I was asking more of of macro question so what with that answer or then other than coming back in front of us then every school district that that submits their they are going to be approved no matter what. Yes so long as they state you know what their intention is what they're you know what they're going to do and why they're going to do it that is the requirement okay nothing beyond that thank you. Senator Irvin you're recognized for a question so just along those lines you had Cedar ridge that said no with no explanation and kept out of public schools that said no with no explanation and casa Tosh that has no explanation so we're going to clean that up in in the way that actually reads is they said no that the current plan does not meet the recommendation and then they answered with their state plan in the column that says how they are going to meet the recommendation so in essence they're saying yes we we agree with the recommendation of a LC and this is what we're doing to our state plan the department's going to clean that up a little bit in the response so that their little bit more specific about how al and when I say a little bit I mean a little bit just so it's a little more clear those three schools are actually schools that are going to meet the you know a recommendation okay and just if I can I just want to thank the the superintendent for the comments and I appreciate what they've done here and I appreciate some that have said that they develop their plans for meaningful consultation with stakeholders because I think that's the point of what we're doing here today is making sure that if you didn't need to feel like you need to hire somebody that you have a plan and you've effectively communicated that with your stakeholders in your school board to that you can make that financial obligation on your own then great but it all just needs to be understood and if you do have problems where you're trying to recruit teachers then we've got to make sure that's addressed first and foremost with these funds I would think so I just think more communication and clear communication is is probably necessary thank you and we haven't gotten a motion yet we want to go ahead and take that motion because I feel like we're starting to debate a motion that we don't have out. Are you sure my contact okay. All right I'm that I'm going to go in order because I've got C. sixty six fifty two. In nineteen so up next to be. C. nineteen and no idea where that is. You're recognized thank you Mr chair you probably know what I'm going to ask but we have so many schools that did not get equal amounts of money because of title one. So so one of my school districts has six hundred seventy four percent six hundred thirty four per student another has fourteen thousand ninety per student because of title one they're doing the same things they can't I mean it doesn't make any difference I'm all for title one but this is this in this case it doesn't really make any difference for teacher bonuses and for so we're kind of throwing them under the bus I feel like you know I mean so they obviously would love to give their their staff bonuses but they don't have the money to do that because of the and I realize it's federal but is there any way that we can get money for from the surplus or from somewhere to make sure that we're getting the schools that don't have the money to do that without throwing them under the bus with their stakeholders. That's a policy decision that. I don't think either one of these two were should be in the position of answering person I mean that would be a decision that would be up to this body surplus for we're out of session now we're not dragging out of surplus at this point and there's a lot of other considerations and one thing that I would hope school districts would answer me summer RT at the minimums that we were looking to set some already paying teachers at the level and typically that's going to be some you're more fluent schools and that's something that should be it no mention if they feel like they need to you know in the columns that you have been provided but that's what I mean that that that's why we allow them to respond because we do understand that district different districts receive different levels of moneys per student based on you know really the you know the wealth of of that particular area so. All right seek fifty. Right. With where we are this going to be we're going to take a motion C. fifty two yeah because we're we're off we're we're debating a motion hasn't occurred in a lot of ways but. Thank you Mr chairman questions for the Department ad and is really a follow on to representative Garnett's questions if do you know how many school districts are in the position that she described but they don't have enough money to meet the recommendation. We don't have a total number at this time because not all districts have responded to and that the questions and We and I mean we we can look at and the announcmenet and that each district received in kind of give that it's an indication of our people you know what how many districts and how large is the disparity in a our people amount set and so those are things that we can see but then because the decisions are made locally based on and those needs in any to those districts it is just a very difficult analysis to do because in some cases where they did receive less money and they are more affluent districts and some of them have higher salaries already sound that were smaller more rule and have have lower SAT and we're we're just going to continue to try to look at this look at and the the local circumstances and and get the back from school districts as to what their their situations are okay thank you thanks Mr thank you. You're recognized for motion thank you Mr chair I move that we approve all requests under item be on the agenda. I think we have a motion we've got a second I've got a couple of people that have their mikes on if you are not. Having comments. In relation the motion just please go and turn your Mike often if you are having if you have questions relation the motion leader Mike on. Representative Dotson you're recognized for your office. Thank you we got a motion we've got a second others no further discussion of questions all those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed motion carries representative Dotson you're now recognized thank you Mr chair this is a question for the Department There's reference to sixteen forty eight million dollars fund balance that you have I'm not sure exactly what that is in relation to but read as one and if you might be able to say what what is that and what can those funds be used for or what do you use them for are they reserved and set aside in effect fund balance for specific allocated purpose or are they just money sitting there for whenever. You so have needs arise I'm going to I'm going to. Guess a little bit of but I'm not sure for which one because I know that in adequacy fund which is special revenue fund that goes into Public School Fund we'd carry a balance and that is funded by the three four cent sales tax so it's done good this year so we've we do have a fund balance in that adequacy fund we usually certified about five hundred ninety two six hundred million dollars out of it each year so it we need to have a little fun balance in that each year to be able to survive that same amount that goes in a public school funding each year and then in public school fund we have a balance in it too which I think is what's making up the total six hundred thousand summons from adequacy some of it is a public school funding and public school phone we have a fund balance in it just because the number of eighty and that was paid out this year the assessment rolls that was paid where'd that the wealth was high so we do have to make much general revenues so I think those two pots of money of general revenue Is was making up to six hundred million that we're referring to. I'm pretty sure so so that. Three four cent that you're talking about that money goes in there is that unrestricted or or does that actually go into the public school fund that pays the the foundation funding that is one of the one of the revenue streams of paste foundation funding that's the adequacy fund that's a schedule adequacy fund is a special revenue fund that is part of the total amount of funding that makes up the public school fund balance of the revenue needed to pay foundation funding that kind of oracle's other needs in public school fund so we've done well this year how much do you anticipate the fund balance being going forward after you've paid all the foundation funding it is that all those obligations already that would have been the fund balance so we ended this past fiscal year with so I don't want to guess until the adequacy committees finished doing their work because I don't know how much of that. General revenue be used for adequacy to pay for actually going on. I think guest at this point but if I don't know how much was at the end of the fiscal year the. I want to say was rather. Total around three four but now I'm just straight up yes and okay thank you. Senate Chesterfield you're recognized for a question yes thank you Mr chair how much is in the education trust fund. The educational instruction on. that is a number that is set by the DFA this based off last year's revenues that they allocate based off what they received last week is to I don't know that beat if that will be better you don't know what about the bard up missed year I guess what concerns me is that the people of this state who are in our public schools have been told that we have eight that they should receive an I believe they should and even more five thousand and twenty five hundred classify do we have a fund at the department of education that would allow those school districts that don't have the resources to do that to make that happen. I have no idea if there's a fund that exist for that but I think it's also a little bit more complicated than that I mean it it what we're talking about as a matter of priorities. and if a district did not prioritize. Teacher pay with their S. for funds the question then is should this state make that up in some cases maybe so. But in others depending on what they did spend their money on maybe there was a. Misplaced importance on what they prioritize but it would be a much bigger question I am not sure of any particular fund those may exist I just don't know but as we look at it would that not be something for us to look at find out first of all as we go through this process with finding out what people are allocating the funds for some or able to do the five some maybe even as but I would hate because I'm small and I didn't get much in the beginning. That all of a sudden my teachers who are the most difficult to keep because we're in a small area we get nothing that's my major concern absolutely and and just kinda tag along with that one thing that we do not know is the number of vacancies at each district. Anywhere in the state there's no conference report that shows where the vacancies are if we did have that report we could pinpoint to some of the issues that may be a lack of management about administration that an area maybe lack of funding which would any wood something we need to be concerned with it may be Watson yes. Yes lots and lots of reasons of why there may be vacancies in the district but since we do not know. Where those are we're not able to really pinpoint see what's happening in that particular school district hopefully we'll be able to get that information and I think that will lead to some good discussion for us I really want to the point that you raised. Senator birthday boy Senator Hammer. Thanks thanks thanks for the president we'll see how lenient your with my present here in a minute. The clarification to the chair approval of the items by the committee while ago week wage to the Department being able to issue the funds to the districts is that correct that's correct and then the second thing is and maybe this ties into representative grazed motion while ago what is the deadline that is set for the districts to get this report and what happens if we come up against the ninety four General Assembly and they have not submitted anything they're just a lock or what. I would be surprised to find ourselves in that situation and there is no minutes far as I'm concerned there is no deadline except for those imposed by you know on the federal level about we as a body have said that we will do everything we can to be accommodating to push these preparations through so long as they meet the requirements that we set forth which is nothing more than you planned on doing it if not why and so that that's the only requirement in place hopefully will move quickly and much but is there is an overall deadline I know none all right. But if I could change that to you I think my motion all it does is suspend the placement of the items on the agenda so I will be here in the ninety fourth General Assembly if you wanted to you could you know make another motion to do the same thing as well okay okay one more present to the to the Department real quick thank you. So the report a measure while ago has a six hundred forty eight million which is the total unrestricted fund balance. When it comes to the adequacy of the recommendation of the committee that will make that are those are those dollars that are attached with that recommendation paid for out of this fund. Yes then since two thousand thirteen till now it's gone from seventy six million to what is a balance now six hundred forty eight and just the difference between last year and this year was a accumulation of a hundred and sixty seven million dollars what what I need understanding is that if we are paying for the cost of adequacy of this funded we're meeting that obligation how is it that the fun continues to grow as much as it does if it is used to make the payment for the recommendation of the adequacy of the committee but it continues to grow at the rate it does or not misreading that. That is one of the three main funding lines that go into public school fund to pay for that because recommendation education Lexus Trust Fund adequacy and general revenue make at the rate that do that when we go to make the recommendations for general revenue and everything else and the needs of Public School Fund the adequacy fund is one of those funds that is considered last year the fund grew higher than at the end then we get that the growth from DFA so that would be a really more a question of them white grew so good in the previous fiscal year but that's what we use is one of the three funding sources public school for. So I understand we're in a boom with the federal money that's coming in that that part is just going to continue to grow and if we come back and say all teachers are to get a four thousand dollar raise you know through adequacy this would be the first source of money that would be tapped to do that in addition to whatever else we grow through the general budgeting process is that correct it yes it's one of the ones with language in revenue is used for the adequacy recommendations are thank you they Mr and as a seven four we use six hundred million dollars a year out of out of that fund already five hundred ninety two six hundred for adequacy sorry. All right members okay We've we've concluded our special session we've concluded our business technical business for this committee. I will have I have no problem with having some additional questions the department that really wasn't the in this is our form if education to committee wants to get together whatever's at this point I'm only going to recognize members of this committee for questions we are another business there's. Thanks there's another venue that you can utilize if you've got some questions especially is picking up the phone and make a phone call but with that I want to recognize representative Vaught and my questions not for them Sir but it's for you Mister chair so some schools were not given a choice. To be able to give their teachers a bonus and I would like to give their teachers a bonus because other schools in their districts have enough S. R. funds that are left to give those bonuses I want to know what kind of like Senator Chesterfield if we can look to see if there's ways for those schools that. Would have if they had known. If there's a way for us to look for those monies because I feel bad I mean I feel like the department is but those schools at a disadvantage Charlie I feel like they put them at a disadvantage and the fact that they told them they could not use those monies for that and now then the schools around them are doing it and they don't have the funds to do it and I think that's something that we need to keep in mind okay thanks. Senator Ingram got just a point of clarification on that six hundred forty eight million two hundred ninety nine million at the end of the year is in the public school fund and three hundred and forty nine million is in adequacy fun. Okay all right Senator Irvin. Just follow up with department of ed with Concord they put a freeze on our A. R. P. spending and they're waiting for clearance from someone at the federal level but I think that means maybe from Department of that so if you just don't mind getting in touch with them so that they know that they can proceed with that thank you all right perfect. Members I see no one else on the list with that we've concluded or other business and we are adjourn thank you.