The Steering Committee of the OASE School Funding Coalition today developed draft legislative advocacy positions for the 2009 legislative session.

The positions are:

1.    Further shortfall for 2007-09 (currently projected at $300-600 million):

• We support filling the shortfall with the Education Stability Fund (ESF) and/or other funds available.
• If it is determined that K-12 will be given an additional, significant loss which will likely cause most districts to shorten the school year, we support temporary suspension of appropriate PECBA laws and time-and-attendance laws to assist districts.
• We support eliminating the reporting requirements for the SIF if there is a further loss of revenue for 2007-09.

2.    Funding for 2009-11:

• We support state funding at a level that will be determined after the state’s revenue picture becomes clearer.
• We support flexibility in the use of federal funding so that districts can meet the needs of students.
• We support distribution from the ESF as early as possible to assure stability of funding.

3.    New Graduation Requirements

• We support providing the additional funding necessary to assist students in meeting the new diploma requirements (estimated at $250 million), or delaying the requirements.

4.    Full Day Kindergarten

• We support delaying the implementation of full day kindergarten until adequate funding for program and facilities is available.
• We support phase-in of funding for the implementation of full day kindergarten by a date certain.
• We support extending the time for districts to be able to charge tuition for the extra half day of Kindergarten.

5.    2% Kicker

• We support legislation that would amend the law to better provide stability for education and other essential services.

6.    New Revenues

• We support legislation that will generate new revenue to support education and other essential services.

7.    School Facilities

• We support legislation that will identify and fund school facility needs and possible revenue sources to meet the facility needs identified.