H.B. No. 236 amends the Education Code to redefine the calculation of average enrollment for public school finance, shifting from a daily attendance model to one based on the average number of students enrolled throughout the school year. This new approach includes provisions for districts facing enrollment declines, allowing them to receive funding based on the previous year's average enrollment if the decline is significant. The bill also introduces adjustments for various circumstances, such as the presence of migratory children or disasters impacting enrollment. Additionally, it replaces references to "daily attendance" with "average enrollment" across multiple sections of the Education Code, ensuring consistency in funding calculations for charter schools, adult education programs, and new districts.

The bill further outlines specific funding entitlements for various educational programs and establishes minimum instructional days for districts. It includes provisions for tuition fees for transfer students, ensuring that any charges are clearly defined in transfer agreements. The legislation also mandates transparency in school district budget notices, requiring detailed comparisons with previous budgets and tax rates. Overall, H.B. No. 236 aims to enhance the accuracy and equity of school funding by aligning financial support with actual student enrollment figures, while also streamlining governance and ensuring smaller districts receive adequate resources. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 48.005, Education Code 7.062, Education Code 11.052, Education Code 12.106, Education Code 12.263, Education Code 13.051, Education Code 13.102, Education Code 13.283, Education Code 25.038, Education Code 25.045, Education Code 25.081, Education Code 25.087, Education Code 25.111, Education Code 25.112, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.081, Education Code 29.0822, Education Code 29.184, Education Code 29.203, Education Code 29.403, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.102, Education Code 33.157, Education Code 37.0061, Education Code 37.008, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.262, Education Code 43.001, Education Code 44.004, Education Code 45.0011, Education Code 45.006, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 45.003, Education Code 46.005, Education Code 46.006, Education Code 46.032, Education Code 48.0051, Education Code 48.006, Education Code 48.010, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.052, Education Code 48.101, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.105, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.107, Education Code 48.108, Education Code 48.109, Education Code 48.115, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.153, Education Code 48.202, Education Code 48.256, Education Code 48.2642, Education Code 48.273, Education Code 48.277, Education Code 49.001, Education Code 49.002, Education Code 49.003, Education Code 49.158, Education Code 49.201, Education Code 49.203, Education Code 49.205, Education Code 49.258, Education Code 49.305, Education Code 49.306, Education Code 49.311, Education Code 49.354, Government Code 403.104, Government Code 1371.001, Government Code 1431.001, Local Government Code 48.005 (Education Code 49, Education Code 25, Government Code 1431, Government Code 403, Education Code 37, Education Code 11, Education Code 29, Education Code 13, Education Code 39, Education Code 12, Education Code 30, Education Code 43, Education Code 46, Education Code 45, Education Code 33, Education Code 48, Government Code 1371, Local Government Code 48, Education Code 44, Education Code 7)