The bill amends "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" by changing the definition of "extraordinary" costs for special education students. It lowers the threshold for what is considered extraordinary from costs exceeding four times the core foundation amount to costs over three times the average statewide special education cost. This amendment also requires data collection on costs that exceed two, three, and five times the core-foundation amount, and removes the previous state-approved threshold. The bill further addresses funding for various educational programs and expenses, including career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, and transportation costs. It introduces an English Learner (EL) factor of fifteen percent applied to the core-instruction per-pupil amount and outlines a prorated funding system if appropriated funds are insufficient.

Additionally, the bill sets requirements for the provision of services to EL students, ensuring they are high-quality and research-based, and mandates performance reporting. It also defines the role of school resource officers (SROs), requiring them to have specialized training and establishing a state support system to reimburse half the cost of their salaries and benefits for positions established after July 1, 2018. The bill sets requirements for the number of SROs based on school enrollment and specifies that reimbursement is not available for SRO positions that replace existing ones. The changes to the definition of "extraordinary costs" for special education and the provisions regarding SROs and EL students are to take effect upon the passage of the act.

Statutes affected:
7250: 16-7.2-6