This bill amends the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act to state that categorical programs under the permanent foundation education-aid program shall be state funded expenses. These expenses include special education costs, career and technical education costs, pre-kindergarten programs, and support for English learners. The bill also includes provisions regarding transportation funds between the state and regional school districts, stating that these funds shall be fully funded to protect the interests of regional school districts.

The bill also establishes additional state support for English Learner (EL) students, based on a formula that includes a 10% EL factor and the core-instruction per-pupil amount. It also provides direct state support for school resource officers (SROs) at public middle and high schools, reimbursing school districts or municipalities for half of the cost of salaries and benefits for qualifying positions. The bill also includes provisions for a transition plan for funding categorical programs and fully funding transportation funds between the state and regional school districts.

Statutes affected:
6114: 16-7.2-6