Bill > HCR78

This concurrent resolution directs the Public Education Funding Commission (a state-level advisory body) to conduct a comprehensive review of Delaware's property tax collection and distribution system for public school funding. The resolution highlights significant disparities in local school revenue across districts, with per-student local funding ranging from $2,223 to $14,036, and aims to address these inequities. Specifically, the Commission is tasked with evaluating key issues including potential state-mandated local tax rate ranges based on district wealth, current county-wide school tax collection processes, existing state funding mechanisms for less wealthy districts, and the impact of property classifications and income on school funding equity. The Commission must submit a detailed report by January 1, 2026, to the Governor, General Assembly, Department of Education, and Legislative Services, with initial recommendations due by October 1, 2025. The resolution emphasizes that the goal is to provide students across Delaware with more equitable access to quality public education by reforming the current property tax-based school funding system, which has been recognized as problematic since at least the early 1970s.

Education

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142684