North Dakota Senate Bill SB2380

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/23
• Refer: 1/23/23
• Report Pass: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/1/23
• Report Pass: 2/10/23
• Engrossed: 2/15/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Report Pass: 3/21/23
• Refer: 3/21/23
• Report Pass: 3/29/23
• Enrolled: 4/19/23
• Passed: 4/24/23

Caption

Administrative cost-sharing for cooperating districts and special education units; and to provide an appropriation.

Impact

The bill's enactment is expected to simplify the financial processes associated with inter-district cooperation, potentially leading to improved efficiency and better resource allocation among schools. By providing a mechanism for reimbursement of administrative costs associated with joint services, SB2380 aims to encourage school districts to collaborate on educational programs, which can be especially beneficial in providing services that may be cost-prohibitive for individual districts. This could notably impact the quality of education provided to students in participating districts, as resources can be pooled together more effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill 2380 amends the North Dakota Century Code to enhance administrative cost-sharing provisions for cooperating school districts and special education units. The bill establishes a framework whereby school districts can jointly provide educational services under a plan approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The legislation allows for a separate payment weighting factor, enabling participating districts to receive equivalent funding for a period of four years, even if they have opted into a cooperative educational plan. This approach is intended to promote collaboration among districts, particularly in areas where the sharing of resources can lead to enhanced educational outcomes.

Sentiment

The sentiment regarding SB2380 appears to be generally positive among legislators, as evidenced by the unanimous voting outcome in both the Senate and the House. The supportive climate suggests that lawmakers view the bill as a beneficial reform that addresses challenges in educational funding and resource management. However, there could be minor contention regarding the execution of cooperative plans and whether all districts will have equitable access to the benefits outlined in the new provisions.

Contention

Despite the overall supportive environment, some potential points of contention could arise around the implementation and monitoring of cooperative agreements. Concerns might be raised regarding how districts will ensure compliance with the new requirements and whether the reimbursement rates will adequately reflect the varying needs of different districts. Discussions may also emerge on ensuring that the degree of cooperation does not inadvertently disadvantage smaller or less resourced districts unable to effectively share administrative responsibilities.