Bill > S323

This bill proposes changes to how funds are allocated to school districts to help them manage costs. Specifically, it amends Section 3 of Chapter 165 of the Acts of 2014, focusing on line item 7061-0011. The bill outlines several provisions for providing financial relief, including support for newly formed regional vocational districts where member districts would receive more Chapter 70 aid (a state aid program for public schools) than they would under existing rules, and for regional districts where the overall Chapter 70 aid allocation would be higher. It also aims to mitigate one-time municipal cost increases when a member leaves a regional school district, and to provide extraordinary relief to school districts facing high special education costs, particularly those with significant expenses for students placed in approved private schools within the district. Additionally, the bill seeks to reduce costs for districts experiencing substantial enrollment growth and whose state aid as a percentage of their total foundation budget (the estimated cost of educating students) is below their target aid percentage. Finally, it addresses costs for districts with a lower-than-average growth rate in Chapter 70 aid, a higher-than-average number of students placed in out-of-district special education programs, and where these out-of-district placement funds exceed a certain percentage of their foundation budget. Funds distributed under these provisions will not be considered prior year aid or used to calculate minimum required local contributions for fiscal year 2015, and at least 80% of the funds will be made available by October 15, 2014.