The bill amends "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to provide state funding for various educational programs and expenses, including special education, career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, and the Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center Stabilization Fund. It also addresses the excess costs of transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools and within regional school districts, with the state sharing these costs. New legal language ensures that transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts are fully funded from the fiscal year 2024 budget. The bill outlines eligibility for a regionalization bonus for public school districts that are regionalized and includes a clause for prorating funds among eligible school districts if necessary.

The bill also provides for additional state support for English Learner (EL) students, with a funding formula that includes a ten percent EL factor. It mandates that these funds be used for high-quality services for EL students and managed as per the commissioner's requirements. For school resource officers (SROs), the bill offers direct state support, reimbursing half the cost of salaries and benefits for SROs at public middle and high schools, with the number of required SROs based on school enrollment. It sets eligibility requirements for reimbursement and restricts the elimination or creation of SRO positions. The bill states that categorical programs will be funded according to a transition plan and takes effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6114: 16-7.2-6