HB274 Summary

• Appropriates funding for Alabama public education for fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, including support for K-12 schools, two-year colleges, universities, and various educational programs.

• Establishes Foundation Program funding for local school systems based on specific salary matrices for teachers and support staff, with minimum class size requirements (K-3: 18 students, 4-6: 26 students, 7-12: 29 students).

• Allocates $23.4 million for at-risk student programs requiring schools to partner with community organizations for at least 20% of funds and distribute remaining 50% at superintendent's discretion.

• Provides conditional appropriations totaling approximately $55.5 million for education initiatives including Alabama Reading Initiative ($5M), Math/Science/Technology Initiative ($5M), Distance Learning/ACCESS ($5M), and textbook/technology funding ($15.5M).

• Becomes effective October 1, 2010 and anticipates $0 ending balance in Education Trust Fund with provisions to transfer any surplus to proration prevention and rainy day accounts.