The proposed bill would update current statutes by increasing funding levels for K-12 education, specifically raising the base level for FY 2026 from $5,013.00 to $5,113.26 and adjusting charter additional assistance for preschool and grades 1-8 from $2,090.10 to $2,131.90, and for grades 9-12 from $2,435.97 to $2,484.69. It would also modify the state support level for transportation and tax rates for the 2025 tax year. Additionally, the bill mandates public high schools to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at athletic events and campuses, effective August 1, 2025, and requires the Arizona Department of Education to study teacher retention and turnover rates.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new 9th Grade On-track Grant Program, which mandates the Arizona Department of Education to manage grants for eligible school districts and charter schools, providing at least $150 per enrolled 9th-grade student, with a cap of 6,650 projected students. It also retroactively caps the total projected full-time enrollment for the High School Program at 130, instead of the current 1,400, and includes technical changes to ensure detailed budget formats for charter schools. The bill aims to enhance educational outcomes, accountability, and health safety measures within Arizona's public school systems.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-120.07, 15-185, 15-189.05, 15-501.02, 15-747, 15-901, 15-903, 15-945, 41-1276, 36-2261, 15-943, 15-941, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 15-1042, 15-855, 15-973, 15-823, 15-308, 15-183, 15-512, 42-5029, 42-5029.02, 37-521, 15-792.02, 15-501.01, 15-901.08, 15-808, 15-447.01, 15-797, 15-816.01, 15-761, 15-902.04, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026, 15-944, 15-765, 15-751, 15-752, 15-753, 15-501, 15-771, 15-971, 15-946, 15-482, 15-481, 15-915, 15-881, 15-925