Bill > SB302

This bill establishes a new "hybrid model" for funding public education in Delaware, moving away from the current resource-based system to one that combines base funding for positions with flexible, per-pupil allocations for "opportunity funding" and "operational funding." Opportunity funding is specifically designated for students from low-income households or those who are multilingual learners, while operational funding is also weighted for students with special education needs or those in vocational programs, with the goal of improving equity and student achievement. The bill also mandates that no public school should receive less state funding in Fiscal Year 2028 than it did in Fiscal Year 2027, and it allows the Department of Education to take preparatory steps in Fiscal Year 2027, including updating computer systems and developing training, to ensure a smooth transition to the new model, which is anticipated to be fully implemented by Fiscal Year 2029. Furthermore, the bill calls for the creation of a comprehensive accountability system to ensure transparency and proper use of funds, and it supports the ongoing work of the Public Education Funding Commission (PEFC), which was established to review and recommend improvements to public education funding.