The bill amends "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to provide direct state funding for educational programs and expenses, including special education, career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, and transportation costs. It introduces a new, ongoing regionalization bonus of 6% of the state's share of foundation education aid for regionalized school districts, replacing the previous structure that offered a diminishing bonus over two fiscal years. The bill also addresses the allocation of funds for English learners, requiring the use of funds for high-quality services and adherence to the commissioner's requirements.

Additionally, the bill defines the role of school resource officers (SROs), mandating specialized training and deployment in schools. It provides state support to cover half the cost of salaries and benefits for SROs, with the amount of support contingent on student enrollment numbers. The bill specifies eligibility for funding of SRO positions created after July 1, 2018, and prohibits reimbursement for schools that eliminate existing SRO positions to create new ones under this provision. The act is set to take effect upon passage, ensuring continued support for regionalized school districts through the increased regionalization bonus.

Statutes affected:
5472: 16-7.2-6