Education guru Rep. Bruce Cozart joins the show to break down how Arkansas schools are funded, why the current formula is outdated, and what can be done to better serve students statewide.
💸 School Funding in Arkansas:
- Cozart explains that Arkansas schools are funded through an "adequacy" formula—$8,100 per student annually.
- Local millage rates vary widely, impacting teacher pay and resources across districts.
- Some schools, especially smaller or high-need ones, struggle with inequities in funding.
🧮 Cozart’s New Proposal:
- He’s working on a weighted student formula to account for poverty, disability, geography, and more.
- Initial price tag: $600+ million, which stalled the bill in the last session.
Other Topics:
🧾 Vouchers & School Choice
🧑🏫 Teachers & Administration
🎓 Higher Ed & the ACCESS Act
🔧 Workforce Readiness
