FY 2016 Appropriation

The Local Discretionary Block Grant Program provides revenue to allow the local school district and charter schools to meet locally determined needs. The block grant resulted from several consolidated MSP categorical programs. Four previous categorical programs include the Unrestricted Local Program, Education Technology Initiative, Character Education, and School Nurses. Upon consolidation into the Local Discretionary Block Grant, individual program identities and allocation formulas associated with the categorical programs were removed.

Formula -- Consolidation removed former distribution methods and a new distribution formula is based on Regular Basic Program WPUs. The Local Discretionary Block Grant distribution formula requires that 8 percent of the total appropriation be distributed equally among all school districts (with charter schools treated as a single school district) and 92 percent on a proportional Regular Basic Program WPU basis.

Funding History
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $0 from all sources for Local Discretionary Block Grant. This is a 0 percent change from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources.

Statute

The following statute governs the Local Discretionary Block Grant Program.

  • UCA 53A-17a-123 -- requires the State Board of Education to develop a distribution formula that allocates revenues in a fair and equitable manner. The statute also details expenditure limitations placed on school districts and charter schools.

Administrative Rule R277-478 was passed by the State Board of Education. The rule provides administrative procedures associated with the governance of the Local Discretionary Block Grant Program.

Intent Language

HB0002: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the State Board of Education review the Pupil Transportation Allocation Formula and recommend ways to improve the formula to increase efficiency, simplify allocation methodology to school districts, and provide incentives for alternative transportation methods. The Legislature further intends that the State Board of Education report its recommendations to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee by October 31, 2015.

HB0002: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the State Board of Education and State Board of Regents provide joint recommendations on how to ensure that each concurrent enrollment course is taught by a qualified instructor, that credits earned by students count towards major and minor degree requirements at state colleges and universities, and that students are advised on the transferability of credits to private and out of state institutions. The Legislature also intends that these recommendations be reported to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Committee by October 31, 2015.

During the 2009 General Session, the Legislature eliminated funding for the Local Discretionary Block Grant to help balance the state's budget.

Display By:
Appropriation Type:
Appropriation History by
Show Table   |   Show Additional Information

COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.