Hawkins Prefiles Bill for School District Consolidation

12th District Senator Brad Hawkins is pushing forward potential legislation, Senate Bill 5487, to incentivize school district consolidation. The bill aims to have smaller school districts partner with neighboring districts and the consolidated districts would receive a ten year boost in the school construction capital budget program formula.

The state capital budget program, School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP), awards matching funds to school districts whose communities approve construction bonds for school renovations.

"Some districts in our area spend as much as $26,000 and $28,000 per student when a school district like Eastmont actually spends under the state average," said Senator Hawkins. "I'm hoping my proposal will lead to candid conversations about what's best for students and taxpayers."

Hawkins is on the Senate’s Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee and is a former school board president.