A Microsoft Word version of this letter is available for download and PRINTING.

April 8, 2009

Subject: 2008–09 and 2007–08 Summary of Finances (SOF) Reports

TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

We have made a change to the additional state aid for tax relief (ASATR) allotment calculation for charter schools. The reason for this change is to stabilize charter school funding so that it will not be subject to fluctuations in local property tax revenues.

2008–09
Previous estimates of state aid have been calculated in one of two ways. If your charter is funded on state average formulas, the ASATR allotment has been determined by calculating a state average ASATR per weighted average daily attendance (WADA) for school districts and multiplying it by your charter school’s total WADA. If your charter is funded on a combination of resident district and state average formulas, the ASATR has been calculated by your charter school’s WADA designated for the state average formulas.

Beginning in April, the ASATR allotment will be calculated by first calculating a state average target revenue for school districts and multiplying it by your charter school’s WADA as described above to calculate a target revenue for your charter school. Once your charter school’s target revenue is determined, it will be adjusted by your charter school’s state average Tier I (not including transportation), Tier II (Level 1), per pupil allotment of $110 per WADA
(HB 1 aid), and additional state aid for employee benefits to determine your charter school’s ASATR allotment in a manner that is similar to the ASATR formula for school districts. As a result of this change in the ASATR formula, you should see an increase in the ASATR allotment on the 2008–09 SOF for April. An updated 2008–09 Estimate of State Aid Template including the changes to the ASATR allotment formula and a spreadsheet titled “2008–09 ASATR Charter Formula Change Comparison” will be posted to the following website by April 15, 2009.

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/school.finance/charter/chrt09.html

2007­–08
The change in the ASATR allotment calculation will also be implemented for the 2007–08 school year. However, for comparison purposes, before the change is made, the “Final” SOF allocation will be calculated using the old ASATR formula, and the settle-up process will proceed as usual. If the FSP balance is negative, the amount will be recovered from the 2008–09 allocation, and if the FSP balance is positive, a prior year settle-up payment will be processed for your charter school.

Once the settle-up process is complete, the ASATR formula will be changed, and a revised “Final” SOF will be generated. The change in this formula will cause your charter school's 2007­–08 allocation to increase and will result in a positive balance due to the charter school. This supplemental payment for 2007­–08 will be deposited into your charter school’s bank account in May. An updated 2007–08 Estimate of State Aid Template including the changes to the ASATR allotment formula and a spreadsheet titled “2007–08 ASATR Charter Formula Change Comparison” will be posted to the following school finance website by May 8, 2009.

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/school.finance/charter/chrt08.html

Charter schools with negative outstanding 2008–09 FSP balances will not receive supplemental payments for 2007–­08. The 2007–08 payments due to charter schools with negative outstanding FSP balances will be transferred to the 2008–09 school year to reduce the charter schools' FSP liability.

It is very important that you review your SOF and your FSP Payment Ledger reports for 2007–08 and 2008–09 while these changes are taking place. If you have any questions concerning these changes, please contact Nora Rainey by telephone at (512) 463-7298 or by e-mail at nora.rainey@tea.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

 

Helen Daniels
Director, State Funding

HD/ntr