Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 2494
Brief Description: Increasing state funding for operating costs in schools.
Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist and Rude.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Updates and increases per pupil amounts for materials, supplies, and operating costs in state prototypical school funding formulas.
Hearing Date: 2/5/24
Staff: James Mackison (786-7104).
Background:

State school funding formulas include allocations per annual average full-time equivalent student for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC).  There are several categories of MSOC specified in state formulas.  For the 2024-25 school year, total general education MSOC per pupil is anticipated to be $1,519.04 based on projected inflation as of November 2023.  The 2024-25 MSOC amounts by category are:

  • $183.27 for technology;
  • $426.26 for utilities and insurance;
  • $168.43 for curriculum and textbooks;
  • $334.38 for other supplies;
  • $23.20 for library materials;
  • $26.05 for instructional professional development for certified and classified staff;
  • $211.16 for facilities maintenance; and
  • $146.29 for security and central office.

 

The technology category includes $25 per pupil outside the state's program of basic education that was added in the 2022-23 school year above statutorily required amounts.


Additional MSOC amounts are provided for students in grades 9 through 12 and students enrolled in career and technical education courses and skill centers.
Summary of Bill:

The MSOC defined in state prototypical formula are updated in statute to the 2024-25 school year and include a $48 per pupil increase, from $1,519.04 to $1,567.04 per pupil.  The $25 per pupil increase provided for technology in 2022-23 is added to statute.  


The new 2024-25 general education MSOC per pupil amounts by category are:

  • $183.27 for technology;  
  • $458.26 for utilities and insurance;
  • $168.43 for curriculum and textbooks;
  • $334.38 for other supplies;
  • $23.20 for library materials;
  • $34.05 for instructional professional development for certified and classified staff;
  • $211.16 for facilities maintenance; and
  • $154.29 for security and central office. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on September 1, 2024.