Ensures that transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts would be fully funded.
Impact
Should this bill pass, it would significantly impact state laws governing educational funding by ensuring that transportation costs for students in regional school districts are fully funded. It would create mechanisms for funding excess costs related to special education transportation and training for school resource officers. This approach is anticipated to reduce the financial burden on regional school districts and provide a structure for reimbursement that enhances transparency and accountability in the distribution of state funds.
Summary
House Bill 5201, known as the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, aims to address funding for various educational services and ensure equal funding between the state and regional school districts. The bill mandates state funding for transportation categorical funds and other associated costs for regional school districts. By clearly defining how state funds should be allocated and by establishing clear criteria, the bill seeks to enhance educational equity across different districts, primarily focusing on transportation, special education, and career and technical education programs.
Contention
Among the notable points of contention surrounding H5201 is the concern about adequately funding specialized programs, particularly those involving career and technical education, as well as gaining consensus on the equitable distribution of resources among regions. Some stakeholders, including educators and local government officials, have expressed skepticism about the bill's ability to fulfill its promise of equitable distribution in light of existing disparities in funding and resources among different regional districts, which could lead to potential challenges in implementing the provisions effectively.
Increases the state's regionalization bonus to six percent (6%) of the state's fiscal year share of foundation education aid and would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.
Provides that the permanent foundation educational aid program would provide state funding for school-based mental health services pursuant to specified conditions.
Provides that the permanent foundation educational aid program would provide state funding for school-based mental health services pursuant to specified conditions.
Adds multilingual learners into the determination of high-need students and provides a student success factor of twenty-five percent (25%) of the core instruction per-pupil amount and repeals the categorical funding for these students.
Adds multilingual learners into the determination of high-need students and provides a student success factor of twenty-five percent (25%) of the core instruction per-pupil amount and repeals the categorical funding for these students.
Amends the term "extraordinary costs" for the purposes of excess costs associated with special education students. The new definition of extraordinary costs would be educational costs that are over 3 times the average statewide special education cost.