A measure to give additional funding to kindergarten through 12th grade education got unanimous, bipartisan approval Thursday from the Senate Education Committee.
With nearly 11,000 new students expected in the state system next year, the funding will amount to $269 more per student, according to .
The bill would contribute $25 million to reducing the negative factor, which during the economic downturn, allowed the state to provide the constitutionally mandated increases to education funding calculated off the base funding that schools receive, rather than on the total funding, meaning school districts have lost an estimated $1 billion in funding.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Owen Hill, R-Colorado Springs, the chair of the committee. The bill moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, proposed two amendments but both failed on party-line votes, with Republicans voting against them.
One would have taken an additional $300 million from the State Education Fund, a rainy-day account, to give school districts more funds this year. A second amendment would have designated 25 percent of the budgeted funds for at-risk students — an idea proposed by .
Pam Swanson, superintendent of Adams County School District 50, had asked lawmakers to do more to fund education, but asked that regardless of how much funding was allocated, 25 percent would target at-risk students.
“It just simply costs more money to educate at-risk students,” Swanson said.
Hill opposed the amendment saying he didn’t believe students should be counted, and funded, differently.
Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins, said she was concerned about a growing definition of at-risk students.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yeseniarobles
