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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill amends a section of the Public School Finance Act and the Charter School Act to allow program units for charter schools to be calculated using the average membership on the fortieth, eightieth, and one hundred twentieth days of the current year or prior year, whichever is greater.

Significant Issues

SDE indicates that even though the title makes reference to start-up charter schools, the bill does not amend statute to make that distinction.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill requires program units for charter schools to be calculated using the average of the membership on the fortieth, eightieth and one hundred twentieth days of either the current year or prior year, whichever is greater. According to SDE, the effect of this language would be to provide charter schools with a save harmless over other public schools.

The State Board of Education requested $2,996.2 in FY01 to provide 1,116.0 additional units for new programs and start-up charter schools based on current year membership for the first year of operation.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SDE suggests the following: "Program units for start-up charter schools shall be calculated using the average of the membership on the fortieth, eightieth and one hundred twentieth days of the current year." Start-up charter schools have no prior year membership.

CTF/njw