This bill modifies the reimbursement thresholds for extraordinary special education costs and mandates that the State cover the full transportation costs for nonpublic school students in certain school districts. Specifically, it lowers the cost threshold for extraordinary special education aid from $40,000 to $35,000 for students educated in integrated public school programs. The bill also introduces a phased approach to increase the percentage of extraordinary special education aid from 80% in the first year to 100% by the fifth year. Additionally, it maintains the existing reimbursement structure for students in separate public and private school programs but ensures that districts receive a consistent percentage of aid for costs exceeding the established thresholds.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the State will fully fund transportation costs for eligible school districts that are required to transport nonpublic school students. An eligible school district is defined as one with over 5,000 resident students, where at least 25% of those students are nonpublic school students requiring transportation. This change aims to alleviate the financial burden on districts that serve a high number of both public and nonpublic school students, thereby enhancing their ability to comply with transportation requirements mandated by State law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-55