Bill > SB200

This bill amends South Dakota's state aid formula for general and special education by updating various definitions and calculations used to determine funding for school districts. Key changes include adjustments to how "fall enrollment" (the number of students in a district on a specific day in September) is calculated, modifications to the "target teacher ratio factor" which influences how many teachers a district is funded for based on student numbers, and revisions to the "English learner (EL) adjustment" which provides additional funding for students learning English. The bill also updates the "target teacher salary" and "target teacher benefits" to determine "target teacher compensation," a crucial component in calculating "local need," which represents a district's financial requirements. Furthermore, it clarifies the eligibility and calculation methods for "alternative local need" and "alternative per student need," which offer different funding pathways for districts created or reorganized before July 1, 2016. For special education funding, the bill redefines "local effort" and adjusts the "allocations" for students with various disabilities, while also updating the calculation for "local need" in special education. Finally, it allows for a portion of special education funds to be used for early intervening services to help students who need academic or behavioral support before they require special education services, and it links the increase in instructor salaries at technical colleges to changes in the target teacher salary.

Education

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26776