HB 5961 Summary

• Appropriates $5,000,000 from the state school aid fund for 2020-2021 to distribute to eligible school districts that meet specific criteria.

• Establishes eligibility for districts that reduce their average pupil-to-teacher ratio by 1 pupil from the immediately preceding fiscal year to the current fiscal year.

• Provides $25.00 per membership pupil in funding to each eligible district, prioritizing payment to districts with higher pupil-to-teacher ratios first and lowest ratios last.

• Requires districts to submit applications in a form and manner prescribed by the Department of Education to demonstrate their pupil-to-teacher ratio reduction and establish eligibility.

• Authorizes the Department of Education to establish the distribution schedule for payments without regard to standard payment schedules under existing law.