HOUSE BILL 608

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Terry T. Marquardt

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE; CREATING A FEDERALLY CONNECTED STUDENT PROGRAM UNIT EQUAL TO SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF FEDERAL IMPACT AID.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 22-8-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974, Chapter 8, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:

     "22-8-18. PROGRAM COST CALCULATION--LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RESPONSIBILITY.--

          A. The total program units for the purpose of computing the program cost shall be calculated by multiplying the sum of the program units itemized as Paragraphs (1) through (5) in this subsection by the instructional staff training and experience index and adding the program units itemized as Paragraphs (6) through [(10)] (11) in this subsection. The itemized program units are as follows:

                (1) early childhood education;

                (2) basic education;

                (3) special education, adjusted by subtracting the units derived from membership in class D special education programs in private, nonsectarian, nonprofit training centers;

                (4) bilingual multicultural education;

                (5) fine arts education;

                (6) size adjustment;

                (7) at-risk program;

                (8) enrollment growth or new district adjustment;

                (9) special education units derived from membership in class D special education programs in private, nonsectarian, nonprofit training centers; [and]

                (10) national board for professional teaching standards certification; and

                (11) federally connected students.

          B. The total program cost calculated as prescribed in Subsection A of this section includes the cost of early childhood, special, bilingual multicultural, fine arts and vocational education and other remedial or enrichment programs. It is the responsibility of the local school board to determine its priorities in terms of the needs of the community served by that board. Funds generated under the Public School Finance Act are discretionary to local school boards, provided that the special program needs as enumerated in this section are met."

     Section 2. A new section of the Public School Finance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] FEDERALLY CONNECTED STUDENTS PROGRAM UNITS.--The number of units for federally connected students is determined by multiplying the full-time equivalent MEM as reflected in the district's prior-year federal impact aid application by a cost differential determined annually by the department that will equal seventy-five percent of the total amount generated by the total number of federally connected students in the district."

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