SB 0640 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0640 - Requires reporting of dropout rates

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO. 2448-02

BILL NO. SB 640

SUBJECT: Education, Elementary and Secondary: Teachers

TYPE: Original

DATE: January 16, 1998

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FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
General Revenue	($31,200)	($58,905)	($53,408)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	($31,200)	($58,905)	($53,408)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
None	$0	$0	$0
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
Local Government	$0	$0	$0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

Based on a response to a similar proposal, officials from the St. Louis Public Schools assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on them.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officials assume the reporting of attendance on an individual student basis would require a major increase in data collection by DESE. The database would need to be developed. A computer programmer would be contracted to develop the database. One FTE would be needed to maintain the database. DESE estimates the computer programmer would take about 20 hours per week for 12 weeks at $120 per hour (rate is according to state contract) at a total cost of $28,800 (20 hours per week x 12 weeks x $120 per hour = $28,800). DESE estimates that the consultant would have expenditures of $200 per week for a total cost of $2,400 ($200 per week x 12 weeks = $2,400). Therefore, the total cost of the computer programmer in FY 99 would be $31,200. In FY 99 DESE would request one FTE supervisor at an annual salary of $34,044. Consistent with a similar proposal from the prior year, the Oversight Division has included the FTE in the second and third year of the fiscal impact, and the consultant in the first year.

DESE assumes school districts could have additional transportation costs. Schools districts would have additional reporting requirements related to the attendance database and dropout information. Additional staff could have to be hired. The Oversight Division assumes additional transportation costs, if any, could be absorbed by the schools. Oversight also assumes the schools already maintain the attendance information and additional reporting requirements could be accomplished with existing staff.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Cost-Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education
Personal Service (1 FTE)	$0	($35,767)	($36,661)
Fringe Benefits	0	(10,025)	(10,276)
Expense and Equipment	0	(13,113)	(6,471)
Consultant	(31,200)	0	0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE
GOVERNMENT	($31,200)	($58,905)	($53,408)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
	(10 Mo.)
	0	0	0

FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business

No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

The proposal would require the State Board of Education to approve all mileage necessary for effective and economical transportation to ensure that each resident pupil is able to attend the same district school throughout the school year at which the pupil was first enrolled for that school year, if such transportation is requested in writing by the parent or guardian.

The proposal would require DESE to develop a pupil attendance and dropout reporting system. School districts would report attendance records for each pupil to DESE. The information would be used to determine the district's average daily attendance and the number of district eligible pupils.

DESE would annually report the four-year high school graduation rate for the previous year on or before December fifteenth of the school year.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

St. Louis Public Schools

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

January 16, 1998