Relating to the operation of free prekindergarten programs by certain school districts and to the early education allotment under the Foundation School Program.

HB 2779 requires Texas school districts to contract with community-based child-care providers for free prekindergarten classes if they fail bond elections for facility construction or cannot adequately staff classes. The bill creates a new funding mechanism, providing districts with an additional 20% of the basic per-student allotment for each prekindergarten student enrolled in these contracted programs. However, it caps statewide enrollment at 2,000 students for 2026-2027, increasing to 4,500 in 2027-2028 and 7,000 in 2028-2029, with all funding provisions expiring September 1, 2029. This directly affects school districts operating prekindergarten programs, community-based child-care providers, and students enrolled in these state-funded early education programs.