HB 6357 Summary

• Increases the education foundation level from $9,687 to $11,525 per pupil for fiscal year 2014 and beyond, adjusting the state's equalization aid grant calculations.

• Modifies aid distribution formulas for fiscal years 2014-2015, creating different percentage increases for non-alliance districts (0.01%), alliance districts (0.08%), and educational reform districts (0.12%) based on their designation status.

• Establishes new definitions for wealth adjustment factors and poverty-based need calculations, including replacing previous poverty metrics with eligibility for free or reduced price meals starting in fiscal year 2014.

• Removes transportation reimbursement provisions from sections 10-97, 10-277, and other statutes, eliminating state reimbursement for pupil transportation costs effective July 1, 2013.

• Extends grant reduction authority through fiscal year 2015 for various education programs (bilingual education, special education, regional services) if appropriations are insufficient, maintaining proportional reduction provisions.