This bill appropriates a total of $3,459,041,080 for the Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Key allocations include $190 million for minimum teacher salaries and raises, $246 million for enhanced student achievement funding, and $142 million for public school employee insurance. The bill also establishes maximum employee counts and salary rates for various positions within the Department of Education. It introduces provisions for carry-forward funding for the R.I.S.E. Arkansas program and clarifies the definition of "school district" for grant distribution, emphasizing the need for prior approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee for certain budget adjustments.

Additionally, the bill amends Arkansas Code regarding the establishment of the school year, allowing public school districts and charter schools to set the first day of school by policy, thus removing previous specific date requirements. It mandates that academic calendars include five make-up days for lost instructional time due to exceptional circumstances and specifies that Labor Day will be a school holiday. The language has been updated to indicate that these requirements are established by the state board rather than the State Board of Education. An emergency clause is included, ensuring the act takes effect on July 1, 2024, to maintain the continuity of essential educational programs.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1041 V3 - 4-30-2024 02:29 PM: 6-20-604, 04-30-2024, 6-17-707, 6-20-2305(b), 6-17-429(f)
HB 1041: 6-20-604, 04-30-2024, 6-17-707, 6-20-2305(b), 6-17-429(f)
Act 146: 6-20-604, 04-30-2024, 6-17-707, 6-20-2305(b), 6-17-429(f)