HB722 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeff McLaughlin

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Schools, Foundation Program, minimum instructional days altered, Sec. 16-13-231 am'd.

Summary

HB722 would lower the Foundation Program's minimum instructional days from 180 to 175 and adjust how funding is calculated and distributed to local boards of education.

What This Bill Does

The bill reduces the minimum full instructional days used to compute Foundation Program benefits from 180 to 175 days for the applicable school year. It sets how Foundation Program funds are allocated to local boards, including salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, and other expenses, with formulas linked to teacher units and student counts. It also clarifies that, although the change involves local expenditures, it is exempt from certain constitutional spending approvals and does not require a 2/3 vote or local approval; it establishes monthly state-to-local funding, reporting requirements, and a defined effective date.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education: must plan and maintain a 175-day minimum term for Foundation Program calculations and allocate funds accordingly.
• Teachers and students: compensation and support funding (salaries, benefits, instructional materials, and services) are recalculated under the Foundation Program with adherence to a minimum salary schedule and specified cost factors.

Key Provisions

• Minimum school term for Foundation Program calculations reduced from 180 to 175 full instructional days, beginning with the specified school year.
• Foundation Program funds continue to be used to provide at least the 175 (formerly 180) day term and to promote educational opportunity for all public school students.
• Local boards must budget salaries at least equal to 100 percent of the State Minimum Salary Schedule and allocate funds to schools based on student needs and school circumstances.
• Costs under the Foundation Program are itemized into teachers' salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, and other current expenses, with specific calculation formulas and annual rate determinations for each cost factor.
• The bill designates that the total Foundation Program funds for a local board equal the sum of salaries, fringe benefits, instructional support, and other expenses, with monthly state allocations following local expenditure rules.
• It is stated that the bill falls under exceptions to Amendment 621; no 2/3 vote or local approval is required for effective implementation.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law by other means).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education