HF2181

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to expand the eligibility for receiving state funding for special education programs held at separate sites. This aims to improve the financial support for educational facilities specifically designed for students with disabilities.

Main Provisions

• Definition Clarification: The bill specifies that a "special education separate site and program" refers to a public separate day school facility where students with disabilities spend at least 50% of their school day.
• Eligibility Expansion: It expands eligibility for additional state funding to include not only education cooperatives, education districts, service cooperatives, and intermediate school districts but also any school district site that meets specific criteria.
• Application Process: School districts operating sites that fit the criteria must apply to the commissioner for eligibility to receive this funding. The application requires detailed program information.
• Use of Funds: Additional funding can be used similarly to other state special education aid, as outlined by existing educational finance law.

Significant Changes

• This bill changes existing law by allowing general school district sites, not previously eligible, to receive this specific special education funding if they maintain separate sites that meet newly defined criteria.
• It establishes a formula for calculating funding based on the number of students served, multiplying the pupil units by a specified factor (1689).

Relevant Terms

special education, separate site, funding eligibility, state funding, education district, school district, disabilities, day school facility, application, Minnesota Statutes 125A.81