This past Sunday, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee released their revisions to the biennial budget. In each midpoint of the biennial, the executive and legislative branches propose changes and revisions that reflect revenue collections and economic forecasting models.
The items below reflect key K12 revisions to the 2024-2026 budget. This is only a selection of the revisions made. To view the entire list of budget revisions, click here.
Item 117#1s- This amendment provides language to delay the implementation of the revised public school accountability system to the 2026-2027 school year and establishes an advisory committee to review the proposed system.
Item 119#1s- This amendment redirects $60.5 million GF the first year and $5.0 million GF the second year that was proposed for a new state assessment contract in the introduced budget. Language authorizes the extension of the current assessment contract through December 31, 2027 to provide time to procure a new contract, as well as to establish a process for the request for proposals (RFP), including contracting with a vendor to ensure the quality of the RFP.
Item 125 #1s- This amendment redirects $50.0 million GF the second year included in the introduced budget for Virginia Opportunity Scholarships to support other K-12 education initiatives.
Item 125 #3s- This amendment provides $222.9 million GF the second year to raise the support cap to the prevailing ratio of 27.89 positions per 1,000 students in FY 2026 based on the recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding.
Item 125 #4s- This amendment provides $52.8 million GF the second year for additional support to special education students based on the recommendation of the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding.
Item 125 #5s- This amendment provides $134.4 million GF the first year to fund the cost of up to a $1,000 bonus per funded SOQ instructional and support position. There is no required local match.
4-14 #3s- This amendment authorizes all counties and cities to impose an additional local sales and use tax at a rate not to exceed one percent with the revenue used only for capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools if such levy is approved in a voter referendum.
