SB341 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Foundation program, annual appropriation, method of calculating average number of students revised, Secs. 16-13-231, 16-13-232 am'd.

Summary

SB341 changes Foundation Program funding by adding the change in enrollment from the two prior years to the 20-day average daily membership used for apportionment.

What This Bill Does

It revises how funds are allocated by using the average daily membership from the first 20 days after Labor Day of the preceding school year plus the change in ADM from the two preceding years, with the direction (increase or decrease) determined by enrollment trends. This affects how money is distributed for teacher salaries, fringe benefits, instructional support, and other expenses. The bill aims to fix misallocation of funds and create savings to help fully fund the Foundation Program.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (school districts): funding amounts under the Foundation Program could rise or fall based on enrollment changes, impacting budget planning and operations.
• Public school students and educators: changes in funding could affect staffing levels, salaries, benefits, and instructional resources tied to Foundation Program allocations.

Key Provisions

• The annual apportionment formula is revised to use the average daily membership for the first 20 scholastic days after Labor Day of the preceding school year, plus the change in ADM from the two preceding school years, adjusted depending on whether enrollment increased or decreased.
• The changes apply to Sections 16-13-231 and 16-13-232, affecting how teacher units and cost factors (salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, and other expenses) are calculated and funded.
• The bill argues that this method reduces funding misallocation by aligning dollars with actual enrollment and creates savings to help fully fund the Foundation Program.
• The act maintains existing framework requirements for local boards (e.g., minimum instructional days and equitable fund distribution) while implementing the new calculation method.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education