Ninety-Fourth Legislature - First Session - 1995

Introducer's Statement of Intent

LB 742

CHAIRPERSON

Senator Ardyce Bohlke

COMMITTEE

Education

The following constitutes the reasons for this bill and the purposes which are sought to be accomplished thereby:

LB 742 will amend the method used by the State Board of Education to provide grants for the costs of special education programs to school districts, cooperatives of school districts or educational service units. The changes replacing the current ninety percent allowance formula are as follows:

Grants to implement programs with inadequate federal funding shall be determined by the State Board of Education from appropriations approved by the Legislature.

All special education services and programs approved by the Department of Education, other than Level I services, will receive a 'pro rata' amount equal to a percentage of the allowable excess cost for all services and programs as determined by Board.

Level I services, those services provided to students who use no more than 3 hours per week of special education services, shall consist of the amount of the preceding year's Level I services appropriation plus fifty percent of the increase in the percentage of the allowable excess cost for Level I services for the average of the two immediately preceding years. The proportionate share for each district is based on the final expenditure report of the percentage of the allowable excess cost for Level I services for the immediately preceding year's special education program.

DATE OF HEARING

February 21, 1995

Senator Janis McKenzie, District #34

Principal Introducer