FY 2016 Appropriation

Program funding assists public schools in maintaining and updating collections in school library media centers. The State Board of Education passed administrative rule R277-467 that clarifies the use and distribution of program funding. The Board defines library books as "trade books that support the school curriculum and books for recreational reading interests. This definition does not include textbooks or books used solely for classroom instruction or classroom libraries." Similarly, the Board defines electronic resources as "databases, CDs, DVDs, software or other items in electronic format which may be included in the school library media collection and made available for use or access in the school library media center."

The Legislature first appropriated funding for this program during the 2007 General Session, or FY 2008.

Formula -- Public schools receive an allocation from the appropriation provided annually in the Minimum School Program. The distribution formula has two components. First, 25 percent of the funding is divided equally among all public schools (including district schools and charter schools). Second, 75 percent of the funding is divided among public schools proportional to each school's average daily membership as compared to the total state average daily membership. Public schools cannot use program funding to supplant other monies used to purchase library books or electronic resources.

Funding History
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $1,600,000 from all sources for School Library Books and Electronic Resources. This is a 190.9 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $1,600,000 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 190.9 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.

Appropriation Adjustments

The following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time School Library Books and Electronic Resources$300,000$750,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$300,000$0Education Fund
$0$750,000Education Fund, One-time
Provide grants to public schools to purchase books and electronic resources (books, periodicals, journals, etc.) for school library/media centers.
Statute

The appropriation for Library Books & Electronic Resources is governed by the following statute:

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.

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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.