Creating Community School Support Fund

SB 897 creates a Community School Support Fund to assist schools at risk of closure or consolidation, specifically those that received Federal Title I funding in the 2023-2024 school year. The fund will be supported by an annual $5 million allocation from the State Superintendent of Schools' budget, with eligible schools able to receive up to 20% of their operating costs for personnel, facility operations, and essential expenses. Applications for assistance must be submitted by each school's Local School Improvement Council, exempting compliance with standard staffing requirements under the school funding formula.