SB 234 - Department of Education Appropriation (2013-2014)

• Establishes maximum of 346 regular employees for Department of Education with salaries ranging from $42,364 to $247,965 annually, plus authorization for up to 8 part-time/temporary extra help employees.

• Appropriates $23,884,922 for state operations including $14,228,550 for regular salaries, $4,649,832 for personal services matching, and funds for operating expenses, conferences, travel, and professional fees.

• Appropriates additional funds from federal and other sources: $713,897 for federal grants administration, $167,677,799 for child nutrition programs, $559,201,313 for federal elementary and secondary education, and $13,097,388 for revolving loan certificates program.

• Appropriates funds for specialized programs: $1,349,212 for alternative certification, $800,000 for fish and wildlife conservation grants, $1,000,000 for vision screening, $896,924 for professional licensure standards board, and $900,000 for advanced placement training.

• Includes special language restricting state funds from abortion services, requiring quarterly reports on position pool usage, limiting Arkansas Leadership Academy budget reductions, and declaring emergency effective date of July 1, 2013.