SB 21-268: Public School Finance Summary

• Sets statewide base per pupil funding at $7,225.28 for 2021-22 budget year and establishes minimum total program funding of $7,988,527,711 for all districts and charter schools after application of the budget stabilization factor.

• Adds English language learner (ELL) funding to the school finance formula beginning 2021-22, providing 8% per pupil funding supplement for ELL pupils and redirecting $27 million from the professional development program to the state share of total program.

• Expands "at-risk pupils" definition for 2021-22 forward to include students eligible for reduced-price lunch (previously only free lunch) and increases at-risk funding weight to 12%.

• Makes multiple administrative changes including moving preschool certification deadline from August to September 15, extending accreditation contracts to 18 months for 2021-22, and modifying pupil enrollment count day procedures.

• Appropriates $505.7 million from general fund and state education fund for districts' total program funding, plus additional funding for various education programs including school counselor corps ($2M), concurrent enrollment expansion ($1.75M), and career development success ($1.75M).