The statewide base is the per pupil funding amount that all districts receive before adjustments are made. The base is adjusted in each school district using several factors, such as the school district's size and the district's cost of living. As a result of the adjustments districts receive different levels of per pupil funding. Amendment 23 does not change the way in which state funding for school districts is figured. Districts will receive the increase in the base, and the base will be adjusted by the factors.
Categorical programs are programs designed to serve special groups of students or student needs.
No, Amendment 23 only requires that the state increase total categorical funding by at least inflation plus one percent. The General Assembly decides how to allocate the increase among categorical programs. The Amendment requires that all interest earned on moneys in the Fund be used before any principal is depleted. Moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year remain in the Fund and do not revert to the General Fund. Further, there is a maintenance of effort provision which ensures that State Education Fund moneys are not used to replace General Fund moneys appropriated for school finance or for categorical programs.