SJR 5 - This proposed constitutional amendment would require the General Assembly to establish a state school aid distribution formula meeting the requirements of this resolution within one year after approval of the resolution.

The new state school aid distribution formula shall provide basic school operating revenues to all districts on an equal dollar amount per pupil basis, provided that local tax revenues from the portion of a levy in excess of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation shall be counted as a deduction from state aid to a district.

All school districts shall levy an operating levy of at least $1.25. All revenues from the first $1.25 of school operating levy shall be transferred to the state and used to fund state school aid distribution. A portion of such revenues may be deducted and proportionally distributed back to the counties to fund assessment or collection of property taxes. No school district shall be required to levy a school operating levy in excess of $1.25.

The General Assembly may increase the state sales tax up to one cent without further voter approval provided that:

(a) State appropriations for state school aid shall be increased no less than the amount of the increased revenues obtained from the increase in state sales tax; and

(b) The state sales tax shall be increased by no more than the amount determined as necessary to maintain statewide average per pupil school operating revenues, including an adjustment for Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases.

This resolution is similar to SJR 39 from 2000.
OTTO FAJEN