HF1048

House File No. 1048 is a proposed legislative bill that focuses on modifying how general education revenue is calculated for charter schools in Minnesota. It aims to ensure that charter schools receive general education funding similar to traditional school districts. The bill achieves this by stipulating that the general education revenue for each student in a charter school will be calculated based on the state average general education revenue per student, along with other specific adjustments and inclusions. The key amendments proposed in the bill are:

1. General Revenue Calculation: The revenue for each student in a charter school should include the state average revenue, referendum equalization aid, and local optional aid from the student’s district of residence. It should exclude certain other funds but include declining enrollment revenue, basic skills revenue, pension adjustment revenue, and transition revenue.

2. Additional Funding for Extended Programs: For charter schools that operate extended day, week, or summer programs, an additional 25% of the statewide average extended time revenue per student will be added to their general education revenue.

3. Special Education Charter Schools: Special education charter schools will receive funding based on the standard calculation plus unreimbursed costs for educating students not eligible for special education services.

This bill amends Section 124E.20, subdivision 1 of the Minnesota Statutes 2024, effectively refining and clarifying the funding mechanism for charter schools to align more closely with funding for regular school districts.