Bill > HB1280

This bill introduces new requirements for school district budget allocations, mandating that starting with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district must spend at least 50% of its annual budget on instructional expenditures. If a district falls short of this threshold, it must incrementally increase its instructional spending by at least 2% each year until reaching the 50% target. For districts that fail to meet these requirements, consequences include receiving a written warning notice from the State Department of Education, which must be posted on the district's website. Furthermore, if a district does not increase its instructional spending for four consecutive years after receiving the initial warning, it will be required to permanently increase teacher compensation by 2% for each of those years. The bill carefully defines "annual budget" as a financial plan using local, state, and federal revenues, excluding bond sales, property sales, fundraisers, and grants, and "instructional expenditures" are defined according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause emphasizing its immediate importance for public peace, health, and safety.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1280&Session=2500