Bill > SB2072

This bill, known as the "Better Spending, Better Schools Act of 2026," requires every Local Education Agency (LEA), which refers to public school districts, and public charter schools to submit two reports annually by August 1st to the Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) within the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Department of Education. These reports include a planning and budgetary report for the upcoming school year and an expenditure report detailing how funds were spent in the previous school year. The Department of Education will create standardized forms for these reports, which will require detailed breakdowns of revenue sources (local, state, federal, recurring, non-recurring) and expenditures across various categories such as instructional costs, personnel, student support services, school and district administration, operations and maintenance, professional development, and specific program allocations. Additionally, schools must report all grants and reimbursements received, specifying their sources and whether they will be pursued in the future. The Department of Education will then make these reports publicly accessible by posting them on the state report card, where they will remain for at least two consecutive school years. The state report card will also display the total state funds appropriated to each LEA and public charter school through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, along with the required local contribution, and the total indebtedness of each school entity. The Department will establish policies for reporting standards, data categories, and submission procedures to ensure consistency and accuracy.