Bill > SF2839

This bill modifies how special education aid is calculated and distributed for charter schools and resident school districts in Minnesota. Currently, resident school districts have their special education aid reduced by 80% for unreimbursed special education costs. The bill introduces a phased approach to reducing this burden: for fiscal years 2021-2025, the reduction remains at 80%, but starting in fiscal year 2026, the reduction will change to 50% for charter school students. Additionally, the bill creates a special provision for charter schools with high percentages of special education students (at least 70% of total enrollment), where the unreimbursed special education costs will be reduced by 50%. The bill also adjusts how charter schools receive special education aid, increasing the percentage of unreimbursed costs they can claim: 10% for fiscal years 2021-2025, rising to 40% in fiscal year 2026 for certain students and 50% for students at charter schools with high special education enrollment. The changes aim to provide more financial support for charter schools providing special education services and to more equitably distribute the costs between resident school districts and charter schools. The bill includes an effective date of fiscal year 2026 for these modifications.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2839&ssn=0&y=2025