On June 9, 2003, the Arkansas State Board of Education approved the Public School Fund Budget for 2003-2004. Poverty Index Funds for 2003-2004 are budgeted at $4,698,230. The funds will be distributed to schools with 72% or more Kindergarten (K) and Grade 1 (1) students eligible to receive free and/or reduced priced meals, divided by the number of K1 students enrolled. Funding per qualified enrolled student is $285.38. The attachment shows each school’s number of K1 students enrolled, K1 percent of free and/or reduced students, and the amount of funding each qualifying school will receive.
For the 2003-04 Fiscal Year, plans for use of the funds should be submitted on or before July 17, 2003. These plans will be used for the Poverty Index fund distribution. School Improvement and Instructional Support will review the school plans and provide a list of the names of the qualified schools to the Public School Finance Section by July 31 (ADE Rules and Regulations Governing the Distribution of Poverty Index Funds, 4.04). Fifty percent of the Poverty Index funds will be distributed during August 2003 with the balance distributed in January 2004.
Direct questions concerning funding calculations, to Patricia Martin at (501) 682-5124. For assistance with a school plan, contact the School Improvement Supervisor in the School Improvement and Instructional Support Unit assigned to the school. The main Unit telephone number is 501-682-4231. Contact Dave Westmoreland by e-mail at dwestm@arkedu.ar.us.