Bill > S0109

This bill amends the State's special education funding calculations, specifically focusing on how "extraordinary costs" for special education students are defined and reimbursed in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Currently, extraordinary costs are defined as educational expenses that exceed four times the core foundation amount for a single special education student. The bill modifies this threshold, reducing it to 3.5 times the core foundation amount in fiscal year 2027 and further reducing it to 3 times the core foundation amount in fiscal year 2028, which will effectively increase state funding for districts with high-cost special education students. Additionally, the bill provides a new provision allowing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to appropriate funds in the following fiscal year to cover excess costs associated with special education students who move into a district after the district has already approved its budget. This change aims to provide financial flexibility and support for school districts dealing with unexpected special education student enrollment and associated high-cost educational needs, ensuring that districts are not financially burdened by sudden changes in student population.

Budget and Finance

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