92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 3, § 007 - STATE FUNDING

007.01 Section 79-1108.02 R.R.S. states in part:

(1) beginning with school fiscal year 1998-99, the Legislature shall appropriate funds to be distributed by the department pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section to local systems as defined in section 79-1003 annually on or before October 15.

(2) For school fiscal years through 2000-01, five percent of the appropriation under subsection (1) of this section shall be reserved for distribution as grants to local systems for startup costs as defined by the State Board of Education. The funds distributed pursuant to this subsection shall be distributed based on a pro rata share of the eligible costs submitted in grant applications.

(3) Local systems may apply to the department for base funds and matching funds pursuant to this section to be spent on approved accelerated or differentiated curriculum programs. Each eligible local system shall receive one-tenth of one percent of the appropriation as base funds plus a pro rata share of the remainder of the appropriation based on identified students participating in an accelerated or differentiated curriculum program, up to ten percent of the prior year fall membership as defined in section 79-1003, as matching funds. Eligible local systems shall:

(a) Provide an approved accelerated or differentiated curriculum program for students identified as learners with high ability;

(b) Provide funds from other sources for the approved accelerated or differentiated curriculum program greater than or equal to fifty percent of the matching funds received pursuant to the subsection;

(c) Provide an accounting of the funds received pursuant to this section, funds required by subdivision (b) of this subsection, and the total cost of the program on or before August 1 of the year following the receipt of funds in manner prescribed by the department, not to exceed one report per year;

(d) Provide data regarding the academic progress of students participating in the accelerated or differentiated curriculum program in a manner prescribed by the department, not to exceed one report per year; and,

(e) Include identified students from Class I districts that are part of the local system in the accelerated or differentiated curriculum program.

If a local system will not be providing the necessary matching funds pursuant to subdivision (b) of this subsection, the local system shall request a reduction in the amount received pursuant to this subsection such that the local system will be in compliance with such subdivision. Local systems not complying with the requirements of this subsection shall not be eligible local systems in the following year."

007.02 The Department will distribute eligible Startup Costs funds to applicant systems as appropriated by the Legislature based upon a pro rata share of eligible costs submitted to the Department as a whole by all local systems pursuant to Section 79-1108 R.R.S.

007.02A . Systems shall apply to the Department for startup costs on forms provided by the Department. To be eligible, the system startup cost funding applications shall be received by the Department by no later than September 15.

007.02B . Eligible start-up costs shall be determined according to the following:

1) costs for staff development related to Sections 004 (Identification Procedures) and Section 005 (Continuum of Programming Services, Option, and Strategies and Affective or Guidance Needs) up to $100 per certified staff member; and,

2) costs for needs assessment, testing enhancement and other materials and supplies up to $50 per identified student or 10% of the prior year fall membership as defined in Section 79-1003.

007.03 For purposes of the requirements of § 79-1108.02(3) R.R.S. and Section 007.01 of this Rule, "funds from other sources" means funds local systems receive from sources other than funds received under the provisions of § 79-1105 R.R.S. through § 79-1109 R.R.S. and this rule.

007.04 Local systems applying for base and matching funds under this Section shall use the application forms provided by the Department. Such applications must be received by the Department by September 15 of each year.

007.05 When a system will not be providing the necessary funds from "other sources" and must request a reduction in the amount received as required in § 79-1108.02(3) R.R.S., such reduced amounts may be deducted from any amounts the system receives as "matching funds" from the Department under § 79-1108.02(3) for the following school fiscal year. If a system must request a reduction under § 79-1108.02(3) for any one school fiscal year and the system ceased to be eligible for or does not apply for base and matching funds for the following school fiscal year, the system must refund to the Department the amount of the reduction by the end of the first school fiscal year in which the system ceases to be eligible or does not apply. All requests for reduction shall be made on forms supplied by the Department.

007.06 For purposes of the payment of funds to systems under § 79-1108.02 R.R.S. and Section 007 of this Rule, the Department will distribute any funds a system is eligible for to the high school district of the system. Such high school districts shall act as the fiscal agent for such funds of the system.

007.07 Data requirements for measuring and reporting academic progress: The system shall gather and maintain aggregate data measuring the academic progress of all its identified high ability learners.

007.07A. At a minimum, this shall include aggregate achievement test scores and/or GPAs, and the number of identified high ability learners participating in Advanced Placement Classes or honors level course work.

007.07B. The system shall also provide such data to the Department on forms prescribed by the Department by no later than September 15 of each year.

007.08 Accounting of Funds Systems shall provide an accounting of funds to the Department pursuant to Section 79-1108.02 R.R.S. on forms provided by the Department.

Notes

92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 3, § 007