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The school finance bill, Senate Bill 13-260, amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts in FY 2013-14. The bill was signed by the Governor on May 18, 2013, and became effective on that date. Senate Bill 13-230, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the state aid distributed to school districts. The following summarizes the primary funding changes.

Academic standards provide a broad outline for what students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of each grade level, and for what students should know in order to be prepared to enter college or the workforce by the time they graduate from high school. In Colorado, academic standards are also the basis of the annual statewide assessment.

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2012. Property values have stabilized and are expected to grow modestly over the next few years, helping to boost the local contribution to school finance. Similarly, income tax receipts are growing faster than anticipated, increasing deposits into the State Education Fund and the General Fund.

House Bill 12-1345 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts in FY 2012-13. The bill was signed by the Governor on May 19, 2012, and became effective on that date. House Bill 12-1335, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the money distributed to school districts. Highlights of funding provided to school districts by the two bills follows. This memorandum also contains an appendix with estimates of school district funding in the current budget year.

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2011. Property values have stabilized and are expected to grow slowly over the next few years, helping to boost the local contribution to school finance. Similarly, income tax receipts are growing, which is increasing deposits into the State Education Fund and the General Fund.

Senate Bill 11-230 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts in FY 2011-12. The bill was signed by the Governor on June 9, 2011, and became effective on that date. Senate Bill 11-209, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the money distributed to school districts. Highlights of funding provided to school districts by the two bills follows. This memorandum also contains an appendix with estimates of school district funding in the current budget year.

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2010. The ongoing economic recession is affecting forecasts for property values and income tax receipts, which in turn are placing pressure on state aid appropriations. Despite projected increases in General Fund revenue, declining local taxes are putting pressure on the State Education Fund to support education funding.

House Bill 10-1369 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts for the 2010-11 budget year. House Bill 10-1376, the "long bill," appropriates most of the money distributed to school districts. Highlights of funding provided to school districts by the two bills follows. This memorandum also contains a more detailed summary of House Bill 10-1369 and a printout with estimates of school district funding for the upcoming school year. House Bill 10-1369 was signed by the Governor on May 21, 2010.

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations necessary to meet the funding requirements of Amendment 23 have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2009. The ongoing economic recession is affecting forecasts for property values and income tax receipts, which in turn are placing pressure on state aid appropriations to support the requirements of Amendment 23. Projected declines in General Fund revenue are putting pressure on the State Education Fund to support education funding.

Senate Bill 09-256 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts for the 2009-10 budget year. Senate Bill 09-259, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the money distributed to school districts. Highlights of funding provided to school districts by the two bills follows. This memorandum also contains a more detailed summary of Senate Bill 09-256 and a printout with estimates of school district funding for the upcoming school year. Senate Bill 09-256 was signed by the Governor on May 21, 2009.

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations necessary to meet the funding requirements of Amendment 23 is significantly changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2008. The upheaval in the economy is affecting forecasts for property values and income tax receipts, which in turn are placing pressure on state aid appropriations to support the requirements of Amendment 23. 

State funding for K-12 public schools is a conglomeration of money allocated through the funding formula in the school finance act, categorical programs, and a variety of other specific-purpose programs. This memorandum summarizes the annual school finance bill, House Bill 08-1388. Highlights of the financial components of the bill follow, and a printout of estimated district-by-district funding is attached.

The model developed by the Pacey Economics Group in February 2001 was updated to reflect actual data for the current budget year and Legislative Council Staff's December 2006 revenue forecast. The result in the short term is projected state aid costs that are higher than revenue changes, increasing the estimated annual growth rate for General Fund appropriations for school finance to 6.95 percent in order to avoid more significant increases in the near future.

Assumptions in the model: The model was updated to reflect actual data for the current budget year and the Legislative Council Staff December 2005 revenue forecast. The result in the short term is higher state aid costs and diversions to the State Education Fund. Higher projections for federal mineral lease payment help offset the impact on the General Fund and State Education Fund.