Act 19 of the 1st Extraordinary Session of 2006 made revisions to Ark. Code Ann. Section 6-21-808(d)(1), concerning the annual expenditure requirement for utilities and facilities maintenance. School districts must now dedicate nine percent (9%) of foundation funding exclusively to payment of utilities and costs of custodial, maintenance, repair, and renovation activities, which include related personnel costs, for public school facilities.
The following definitions are included in Ark. Code Ann. Section 6-21-803:
Public School Facility - Any public school building or space, including related areas such as the physical plant and grounds, that is used for any purpose, including, without limitation:
(A) An extracurricular activity;
(B) An organized physical activity course as defined in Ark. Code Ann. Section 6-16-137;
(C) Pre-kindergarten education;
(D) District administration; or
(E) Delivery of instruction to public school students that is an
integral part of an adequate education as described in Ark.Code Ann. Section 6-20-2302.
Custodial Activities - Routine and renovation cleaning activities related to the daily operations and upkeep of a public school facility, including related supervisory and management activities.
Maintenance, Repair and Renovation - Any activity or improvement to a public school facility that:
(A) Maintains, conserves, or protects the state of condition or
efficiency of the public school facility; or
(B) Brings the state of condition or efficiency of the public
school facility up to the facility's original condition of
completeness or efficiency.
The expenditure requirement, as shown on the attached spreadsheet, is based on nine percent (9%) of foundation funding. For 2008-2009, foundation funding is equal to $5,789. Therefore, a school district's maintenance and utilities expenditure requirement for 2008-2009 will be equal to $5,789 times 9% times the 2007-2008 3QTR ADM.
Act 1474 of 2009 made changes to A.C.A. §6-20-2305(a)concerning foundation funding. Foundation Funding for 2009-2010 will increase to $5,905, and for 2010-2011 it will increase to $6,023. For purposes of calculating the 9% requirement, the “Enhanced Educational Funding” authorized by A.C.A. § 6-20-2305(a)(2)(C)as amended by Act 1474 of 2009 is not added to Foundation Funding.
School districts should code expenditures eligible to meet the 9% requirement as follows: Fund = 2, Function = 2600 through 2699, Objects 61000 through 65199 and 65300 through 69999. This will include all Operating Fund expenditures charged to Operating and Maintenance of Plant Services, except for 'Insurance Other than Employee Benefits.'
If any amount of the dedicated nine percent (9%) is unspent at the end of the school district's fiscal year, the funds shall carry over, and the school district must transfer the remaining amount into a public school facilities escrow account. Source of Funds code 391 shall be used for this escrow account. The funds in escrow may be used in any fiscal year for payment of utilities and costs of custodial, maintenance, repair, and renovation activities, which include related personnel costs, for public school facilities.
If a school district wants to use funds from its public school facilities escrow account for new construction, the school district shall apply to the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for approval.