The K-12 Omnibus bill

Last week state government passed the Omnibus K-12 Education Bill, and many have asked questions about its impact on North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS). The bill is 140 pages long so, as I write this, I haven’t yet had a chance to go through it thoroughly, but there are things about the bill that I can share with you now.

The state will once again delay payments to schools, called a “shift,” and it will mean that NBAPS, like other districts, will have to borrow additional funds.

There are many other elements of the bill that have direct impact on our district as well. The state has once again waived, for two years, the mandatory 2 percent set aside generally earmarked for staff development. The district and teachers have worked very cooperatively in the past to make these funds available in the general fund.

Over the course of the bill, the funding formula for schools will increase $50 per pupil annually, and while it is certainly appreciated, it won’t be near enough to close the funding gap the district has been victimized by for so many years.

Some other changes; the January 15 deadline for completing teachers union negotiations, which subjects districts to severe fines if not met, has been waived; maintenance of effort requirement for nurses, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health workers has been repealed; and there has been a one-time reduction in state funding for Q Comp for districts currently receiving this funding stream, which includes NBAPS. We don’t know at this time if or how the reduction might affect our district.

There are other changes as well and many details are yet unclear. The department of education will be holding information sessions on the legislation. I will provide more information to the school board and public following those sessions.

(end)