BILL NUMBER: S1431
SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act relating to granting a waiver to Adirondack Helping Hands for the
2016--2017 school year
 
PURPOSE:
The bill ratifies a waiver for $52,000 in spending by Adirondack Helping
Hands Inc. in the 2016-17 school year relating to its 9160 program, and
prohibits the state from imposing penalties in subsequent years.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Grants a waiver for $52,000 relating to a special class in
an integrated setting. The spending shall be offset by $52,000 in recog-
nized surplus at the school, and another $16,000 shall be recouped
through reconciliation.
Section 2 - Directs commissioner of education to calculate and finalize
a reconciliation rate, and directs the budget director to approve it.
Section 3 - Bars any penalties associated with this waiver in subsequent
school years.
Section 4 - Effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Through no fault of its own, Adirondack Helping Hands Inc. in Cadyville
was required in 201617 to transfer funds between special education
programs due to unforeseen changes to its student mix. Adirondack Help-
ing Hands Inc. is a relatively small facility, and contracts with Clin-
ton and Essex counties to provide necessary and important educational
services to special needs students. Even a shift of one or two students
from one program to another can drastically alter its budget.
But the resulting change to the state's calculation for its funding has
punished Adirondack Helping Hands Inc. in the years since and reduced
its capacity.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S2029 referred to Disabilities; A2474 referred to Education
2021-22: S7414 referred to Disabilities; A8434 referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
It could result in additional funding for Adirondack Helping Hands Inc.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately