August-September 2023 Committee on School Finance/Permanent School Fund Item 1

Per Capita Apportionment Rate for the 2023-2024 School Year

August 31, 2023

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FINANCE/PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: A per capita apportionment rate for each school year is set by the commissioner of education based on an estimate of the amount available for expenditure from the Available School Fund (ASF). This item provides an opportunity for agency staff members to present the preliminary rate for the 2023-2024 school year.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §§48.004, 48.251(c), and 43.001(b).

TEC, §48.004, requires the commissioner of education to implement and administer the Foundation School Program (FSP).

TEC, §48.251(c), requires the FSP to be financed with state available school funds distributed in accordance with the law.

TEC, §43.001(b), describes the appropriations that make up the ASF.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: House Bill 1, the General Appropriations Act enacted by the 88th Texas Legislature, 2023, Regular Session, contains an estimate of the amount that will be available for expenditures from the ASF for the 2023-2024 school year. The per capita apportionment will include distributions from the Permanent School Fund and funds from state occupation taxes and the Motor Fuels Tax. The preliminary per capita apportionment rate set by the commissioner of education is based on an estimate of the funds available for expenditure. A final rate is established later in the school year by the commissioner of education based on actual funds available for expenditure.

The per capita apportionment rate finances part of the cost of the FSP. State aid comes from the ASF and the Foundation School Fund (FSF). The per capita apportionment rate determines how much of each school district's total state aid is paid from the ASF. The part that is not financed by the ASF must be paid from the FSF.

Staff Members Responsible:
Mike Meyer, Deputy Commissioner for Finance
Amy Copeland, State Funding Director

Separate Exhibit:
Preliminary Per Capita Apportionment Rate for School Year 2023-2024
(to be provided at the August-September 2023 SBOE meeting)