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H.B. 3

             1     

MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT AMENDMENTS

             2     
1999 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Nora B. Stephens

             5      AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR STATE AND LOCAL
             6      FUNDING OF THE MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT; PROVIDING A CEILING FOR
             7      THE STATE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION PORTION OF
             8      THE ACT NOT TO EXCEED $1,439,215,683; ESTABLISHING THE VALUE OF THE
             9      WEIGHTED PUPIL UNIT AT $1,901; ESTABLISHING DISTRIBUTION FORMULAS;
             10      PROVIDING A $29,358,000 APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL BUILDING AID; PROVIDING
             11      $2,200,000 IN ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
             12      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             13      AMENDS:
             14          53A-16-107, as enacted by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 1988
             15          53A-17a-103, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             16          53A-17a-104, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             17          53A-17a-111, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             18          53A-17a-112, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             19          53A-17a-113, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             20          53A-17a-116, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             21          53A-17a-119, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             22          53A-17a-120, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             23          53A-17a-121, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             24          53A-17a-123, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             25          53A-17a-124, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             26          53A-17a-124.1, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             27          53A-17a-124.5, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998


             28          53A-17a-125, as last amended by Chapter 274, Laws of Utah 1997
             29          53A-17a-126, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             30          53A-17a-127, as last amended by Chapter 3, Laws of Utah 1998
             31          53A-17a-128, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             32          53A-17a-129, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             33          53A-17a-130, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             34          53A-17a-131.1, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             35          53A-17a-131.2, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             36          53A-17a-131.3, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             37          53A-17a-131.4, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             38          53A-17a-131.6, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             39          53A-17a-131.8, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             40          53A-17a-131.9, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             41          53A-17a-132, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             42          53A-17a-135, as last amended by Chapters 234 and 322, Laws of Utah 1998
             43          53A-21-105, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             44      ENACTS:
             45          53A-17a-131.11, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          53A-17a-131.12, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47      This act enacts uncodified material.
             48      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             49          Section 1. Section 53A-16-107 is amended to read:
             50           53A-16-107. Debt service and capital outlay -- Maintenance of school plants --
             51      Authority to use proceeds of .0002 tax rate -- Restrictions and procedure.
             52          (1) (a) A local school board may levy a tax not to exceed .0024 per dollar of taxable value
             53      for debt service and capital outlay.
             54          (b) Each local school board may utilize the proceeds of a maximum of .0002 per dollar of
             55      taxable value of its annual capital outlay levy for the maintenance of school plants in its school
             56      district.
             57          (2) A board that uses [this] the option provided under Subsection (1)(b) must do the
             58      following:


             59          (a) maintain the same level of expenditure for maintenance in the current year as it did in
             60      the preceding year, plus the annual average percentage increase applied to the maintenance and
             61      operation budget for the current year; and
             62          (b) identify the expenditure of capital outlay funds for maintenance by a district project
             63      number to ensure that the funds were expended in the manner intended.
             64          (3) The State Board of Education shall establish by rule the expenditure classification for
             65      maintenance under this program using a standard classification system.
             66          Section 2. Section 53A-17a-103 is amended to read:
             67           53A-17a-103. Definitions.
             68          As used in this chapter:
             69          (1) "Basic state-supported school program" or "basic program" means public education
             70      programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school students that are operated and
             71      maintained for the amount derived by multiplying the number of weighted pupil units for each
             72      district by [$1,854] $1,901, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
             73          (2) "Certified revenue levy" means a property tax levy that provides the same amount of
             74      ad valorem property tax revenue as was collected for the prior year, plus new growth, but exclusive
             75      of revenue from collections from redemptions, interest, and penalties.
             76          (3) "Leeway program" or "leeway" means a state-supported voted leeway program or board
             77      leeway program authorized under Section 53A-17a-133 or 53A-17a-134 .
             78          (4) "Pupil in average daily membership (ADM)" means a full-day equivalent pupil.
             79          (5) "State-supported minimum school program" or "minimum school program" means
             80      public school programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools.
             81          (a) The minimum school program established in the districts shall include the equivalent
             82      of a school term of nine months as determined by the State Board of Education.
             83          (b) (i) The board shall establish the number of days or equivalent instructional hours that
             84      school is held for an academic school year.
             85          (ii) Education, enhanced by utilization of technologically enriched delivery systems, when
             86      approved by local school boards, shall receive full support by the State Board of Education as it
             87      pertains to fulfilling the 990-hour attendance requirements, excluding time spent viewing
             88      commercial advertising.
             89          (c) The program shall be operated and maintained for the total of the following annual


             90      costs:
             91          (i) the cost of a basic state-supported school program;
             92          (ii) the amount appropriated in Section 53A-17a-123 for the local program;
             93          (iii) the amount appropriated in Section 53A-17a-125 for retirement and social security;
             94          (A) each school district shall receive its share of retirement and social security monies
             95      based on its total weighted pupil units compared to the total weighted pupil units for all districts
             96      in the state;
             97          (B) the monies needed to support retirement and social security shall be determined by
             98      taking the district's prior year allocation and adjusting it for student growth, for the percentage
             99      increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit, and the effect of any change in the rates for
             100      retirement, social security, or both;
             101          (iv) the amount of the employer contribution required or made in behalf of employees
             102      under Sections 49-2-301 and 49-3-301 ;
             103          (v) the amount of the employer contribution under Section 1400 of the Federal Insurance
             104      Contribution Act in accordance with Section 67-11-5 for local school boards;
             105          (vi) the amount appropriated in Chapter 17a:
             106          (A) for an incentives for excellence program;
             107          (B) as a contingency fund for the State Board of Education;
             108          (C) for state-supported transportation;
             109          (D) for a teacher inservice program;
             110          (E) for regional service centers;
             111          (F) for the educational technology initiative program;
             112          (G) for a school nurse program;
             113          [(H) for the centennial schools program;]
             114          [(I)] (H) for a comprehensive guidance program;
             115          [(J)] (I) for families, agencies, and communities together for children and youth at risk
             116      programs;
             117          [(K)] (J) for experimental and developmental programs;
             118          [(L)] (K) for alternative language services programs;
             119          [(M)] (L) for highly impacted schools; and
             120          [(N)] (M) for character education programs; and


             121          (vii) the cost of a leeway program.
             122          (d) The program includes school construction aid programs authorized under Title 53A,
             123      Chapter 21, Public Education Capital Outlay Act.
             124          (6) "Weighted pupil unit or units" means the unit of measure of factors that is computed
             125      in accordance with this chapter for the purpose of determining the costs of a program on a uniform
             126      basis for each district.
             127          Section 3. Section 53A-17a-104 is amended to read:
             128           53A-17a-104. Amount of state's contribution toward minimum school program.
             129          (1) The total contribution of the state toward the cost of the operation and maintenance
             130      portion of the minimum school program, as provided and defined in Section 53A-17a-103 , may
             131      not exceed the sum of [$1,398,982,182] $1,439,215,683 for the [1998-99] 1999-2000 school year,
             132      except as otherwise provided by the Legislature through supplemental appropriations.
             133          (2) It is intended that the funds provided are for the following purposes and in the
             134      following amounts:
             135                                           Estimated State and
             136      Estimated                                 Local Funds at
             137                                              [$1,854] $1,901
             138      Weighted             Purpose                 Per Weighted
             139      Pupil Units            State Contribution                 Pupil Unit
             140      [19,443] 19,604    Basic program - kindergarten.         [$36,047,322] $37,267,204
             141      [430,531] 427,276    Basic program - grades 1-12.            [$798,204,474] $812,251,676
             142      [41,635] 41,394    Basic program - professional staff.         [$77,191,290] $78,689,994
             143      1,655         Basic program - administrative costs.     [$3,068,370] $3,146,155
             144      5,494         Basic program - necessarily existent small     [$10,185,876] $10,444,094
             145                  schools and units for consolidated schools.    
             146      [52,532] 52,697    Special education - regular program         [$97,394,328] $100,176,997
             147                   - add-on WPUs for students with disabilities.
             148      [4,380] 4,724    Preschool Special Education Program.     [$8,120,520] $8,980,324
             149      [11,868] 12,299    Self-contained regular WPUs.         [$22,003,272] $23,380,399
             150      [238] 237    Extended year program for severely disabled. [$441,252] $450,537
             151      [1,358] 1,350    Special education - state programs.         [$2,517,732] $2,566,350


             152      [19,578] 19,464    Applied technology and technical education     [$36,297,612] $37,001,064
             153                   district programs.
             154      [995] 989    Applied technology district set-aside.     [$1,844,730] $1,880,089
             155      [9,654] 9,598    Youth at risk programs.             [$17,898,516] $18,245,798
             156      [3,427] 3,407    Adult education.                 [$6,353,658] $6,476,707
             157      [3,863] 3,841    Accelerated learning programs.         [$7,162,002] $7,301,741
             158      [11,616] 11,549    Local programs.
             [$21,536,064] $21,954,649
             159      [24,394] 24,253    Career ladder.
             [$45,226,476] $46,104,953
             160      [25,804] 29,577    Class size reduction.                 [$47,840,616] $56,225,877
             161      [668,465] 669,408    TOTAL OF ALL ABOVE         [$1,239,334,110] $1,272,544,608
             162                   PROGRAMS    
             163                  Social Security and retirement programs.     [$238,069,744] $244,458,871
             164                   Pupil Transportation to and from school.    [$49,297,947] $50,237,319
             165                  Contingency fund.             [$421,692] $419,246
             166                  Incentives for excellence.            [$618,498] $614,911
             167                  Regional service centers.            [$1,084,495] $1,111,595
             168                  Staff Development.                [$1,474,127] $1,965,577
             169                  Comprehensive Guidance.            [$6,900,784] $7,033,759
             170                  Educational Technology Initiative.        [$8,505,682] $8,970,322
             171                  [Centennial Schools.]                [$1,143,437]
             172                   Alternative Language Services.        [$2,845,065] $2,828,564
             173                  Highly Impacted Schools.            [$5,404,553] $4,873,207
             174                  Character Education Program.        [$400,000]     $397,680
             175                  Families, Agencies, and Communities Together. [$1,257,966] $1,250,670
             176                  School Nurses.                 [$399,265]     $496,949
             177                  Transportation Levy.                         $225,000
             178                  Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-Based             $2,235,000
             179                  Learning Programs.
             180                  Truancy Intervention.                         $150,000
             181                  Youth in Custody.                         $1,000,000
             182                  Experimental and Developmental Program.     [$6,045,756] $5,933,056


             183                  State-supported voted leeway.         [$93,726,459] $109,075,315
             184                  State-supported board leeway.         [$33,502,343] $34,968,963
             185                  Total estimated contributions to     [$1,690,431,923] $1,750,790,612
             186                  school districts for all programs.    
             187                  Less estimated proceeds from         [$291,449,741] $311,574,929
             188                  state-supported local levies.
             189                  TOTAL STATE FUNDS         [$1,398,982,182] $1,439,215,683
             190          Section 4. Section 53A-17a-111 is amended to read:
             191           53A-17a-111. Weighted pupil units for programs for students with disabilities --
             192      District allocation.
             193          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$130,477,104 (70,376]
             194      $135,554,607 (71,307 weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school board programs for
             195      students with disabilities.
             196          (2) Included in the appropriation is [$97,394,328] $100,176,997 for add-on WPUs for
             197      students with disabilities enrolled in regular programs.
             198          (3) The number of weighted pupil units for students with disabilities shall reflect the direct
             199      cost of programs for those students conducted in accordance with definitions, guidelines, rules, and
             200      standards established by the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             201      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             202          (4) Disability program monies allocated to districts are restricted and shall be spent for the
             203      education of students with disabilities but may include expenditures for approved programs of
             204      services conducted for certified instructional personnel who have students with disabilities in their
             205      classes.
             206          (5) The State Board of Education shall establish and strictly interpret definitions and
             207      provide standards for determining which students have disabilities and shall assist districts in
             208      determining the services that should be provided to students with disabilities.
             209          (6) Each year the board shall evaluate the standards and guidelines that establish the
             210      identifying criteria for disability classifications to assure strict compliance with those standards by
             211      the districts.
             212          (7) Each district shall receive its allocation of monies appropriated in Subsection
             213      53A-17a-111 (2) for add-on WPUs for students with disabilities enrolled in regular programs as


             214      provided in this subsection.
             215          (a) The State Board of Education shall use the total number of special education add-on
             216      weighted pupil units used to fund fiscal year 1989-90 as a foundation for the special education
             217      add-on appropriation.
             218          (b) A district's special education add-on WPUs for the current year may not be less than
             219      the foundation special education add-on WPUs.
             220          (8) When monies appropriated under this chapter fund the foundation weighted pupil units,
             221      as outlined in Subsection (7)(a), growth WPUs shall be added to the prior year special education
             222      add-on WPUs, and growth WPUs shall be determined as follows:
             223          (a) The special education student growth factor is calculated by comparing S-3 total special
             224      education ADM of two years previous to the current year to the S-3 total special education ADM
             225      three years previous to the current year, not to exceed the official October total district growth
             226      factor from the prior year.
             227          (b) When calculating and applying the growth factor, a district's S-3 total special education
             228      ADM for a given year is limited to 12.18% of the district's S-3 total student ADM for the same
             229      year.
             230          (c) Growth ADMs are calculated by applying the growth factor in Subsection (8)(a) to the
             231      S-3 total special education ADM of two years previous to the current year.
             232          (d) Growth ADMs for each district in Subsection (8)(c) are multiplied by 1.53 weighted
             233      pupil units and added to the prior year special education add-on WPU to determine each district's
             234      total allocation.
             235          (9) If monies appropriated under this chapter for programs for students with disabilities
             236      do not meet the costs of districts for those programs, each district shall first receive the amount
             237      generated for each student with a disability under the basic program.
             238          Section 5. Section 53A-17a-112 is amended to read:
             239           53A-17a-112. Preschool special education appropriation -- Extended year program
             240      appropriation -- Appropriation for special education programs in state institutions.
             241          (1) Included in the [$130,477,104] $135,554,607 appropriation under Section
             242      53A-17a-111 is:
             243          (a) an amount of [$8,120,520] $8,980,324 for preschool special education programs;
             244          (b) an amount of [$22,003,272] $23,380,399 for self-contained regular WPU special


             245      education programs;
             246          (c) an amount of [$441,252] $450,537 for extended year programs for the severely
             247      disabled; and
             248          (d) an amount of [$2,517,732] $2,566,350 for special education programs in state
             249      institutions and for district impact aid.
             250          (2) (a) The [$8,120,520 (4,380 weighted pupil units) appropriated] amount designated for
             251      the preschool special education program under Subsection (1)(a) is allocated to school districts to
             252      provide a free, appropriate public education to preschool students with a disability, ages three
             253      through five.
             254          (b) The monies are distributed on the basis of a school district's previous year December
             255      1 disabled preschool child count as mandated by federal law.
             256          (3) The extended school year program for the severely disabled is limited to students with
             257      severe disabilities with education program goals identifying significant regression and recoupment
             258      disability as approved by the State Board of Education.
             259          (4) (a) The monies appropriated for self-contained regular special education programs may
             260      not be used to supplement other school programs.
             261          (b) Monies in any of the other restricted line item appropriations may not be reduced more
             262      than 2% to be used for purposes other than those specified by the appropriation, unless otherwise
             263      provided by law.
             264          (5) (a) The State Board of Education shall compute preschool funding by a factor of 1.205
             265      times the current December 1 child count of eligible preschool aged three, four, and five-year-olds
             266      times the WPU value, limited to 8% growth over the prior year December 1 count.
             267          (b) The board shall develop guidelines to implement the funding formula for preschool
             268      special education, and establish prevalence limits for distribution of the moneys.
             269          Section 6. Section 53A-17a-113 is amended to read:
             270           53A-17a-113. Weighted pupil units for applied technology education programs --
             271      Funding of approved programs -- Performance measures -- Qualifying criteria.
             272          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board for Applied Technology Education, hereafter
             273      referred to in this section as the board, [$36,297,612 (19,578] $37,001,064 (19,464 weighted pupil
             274      units) to pay the added instructional costs of approved applied technology education programs.
             275          (a) Included in the [$36,297,612] appropriation is [$780,534] $800,321 (421 weighted


             276      pupil units) for summer applied technology agriculture programs.
             277          (b) These monies are allocated to eligible recipients as provided in Subsections (2), (3),
             278      and (4).
             279          (c) Money appropriated under Subsection 53A-17a-113 (1) and any money appropriated
             280      for work-based education may not be used to fund programs below the ninth grade level.
             281          (2) Weighted pupil units are computed for pupils in approved programs.
             282          (a) The board shall fund approved programs based upon hours of membership of 9th
             283      through 12th grade students.
             284          (b) The board shall use an amount not to exceed 20% of the total appropriation under this
             285      section to fund approved programs based on performance measures such as placement and
             286      competency attainment defined in standards set by the board for districts to qualify for applied
             287      technology funding.
             288          (c) Leadership organization funds shall constitute an amount not to exceed 1% of the total
             289      appropriation under this section, and shall be distributed to each local educational agency
             290      sponsoring applied technology student leadership organizations in a ratio representing the agency's
             291      share of the state's total membership in those organizations.
             292          (d) The board shall make the necessary calculations for distribution of the appropriation
             293      to school districts and may revise and recommend changes necessary for achieving equity and ease
             294      of administration.
             295          (3) (a) Twenty weighted pupil units shall be computed for each district, or 25 weighted
             296      pupil units may be computed for each district that consolidates applied technology administrative
             297      services with one or more other districts.
             298          (b) Between 10 and 25 weighted pupil units shall be computed for each high school
             299      conducting approved applied technology education programs in a district according to standards
             300      established by the board.
             301          (c) Forty weighted pupil units shall be computed for each district that operates an approved
             302      district applied technology center.
             303          (d) Between five and seven weighted pupil units shall be computed for each summer
             304      applied technology agriculture program according to standards established by the board.
             305          (e) The board shall, by rule, establish qualifying criteria for districts to receive weighted
             306      pupil units under Subsection (3).


             307          (4) (a) All monies allocated under Subsection (1) are computed by using average daily
             308      membership in approved programs for the previous year.
             309          (b) A district that has experienced student growth in grades 9 through 12 for the previous
             310      year shall have the growth factor applied to the previous year's weighted pupil units when
             311      calculating the allocation of monies under this subsection.
             312          (5) (a) The board shall establish rules for the upgrading of high school applied technology
             313      education programs.
             314          (b) The rules shall reflect technical training and actual marketable job skills in society.
             315          (c) The rules shall include procedures to assist school districts to convert existing
             316      programs which are not preparing students for the job market into programs that will accomplish
             317      that purpose.
             318          (6) Programs that do not meet board standards may not be funded under this section.
             319          Section 7. Section 53A-17a-116 is amended to read:
             320           53A-17a-116. Weighted pupil units for applied technology set-aside programs.
             321          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board for Applied Technology Education
             322      [$1,844,730 (995] $1,880,089 (989 weighted pupil units) for an applied technology set-aside
             323      program.
             324          (2) Applied technology set-aside funds appropriated to the board are allocated by Request
             325      for Proposal (RFP) to provide a district minimum payment for applied technology education.
             326          (3) Each district shall receive a guaranteed minimum allocation.
             327          (4) The set-aside funds remaining after the initial minimum payment allocation are
             328      distributed by an RFP process to help pay for equipment costs necessary to initiate new programs
             329      and for high priority programs as determined by labor market information.
             330          Section 8. Section 53A-17a-119 is amended to read:
             331           53A-17a-119. Weighted pupil units for adult education programs.
             332          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$6,353,658 (3,427] $6,476,707
             333      (3,407 weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school boards for adult education programs,
             334      consisting of adult high school completion and adult basic skills programs.
             335          (2) Each district shall receive its pro rata share of the appropriation for adult high school
             336      completion programs based on the number of people listed in the latest official census who are
             337      over 18 years of age and who do not have a high school diploma and prior year participation.


             338          (3) On February 1 of each school year, the State Board of Education shall recapture monies
             339      not used for an adult high school completion program for reallocation to districts that have
             340      implemented programs based on need and effort as determined by the [State Board of Education]
             341      board.
             342          (4) To the extent of monies available, school districts shall provide programs to adults who
             343      do not have a diploma and who intend to graduate from high school, with particular emphasis on
             344      homeless individuals who are seeking literacy and life skills.
             345          (5) Overruns in adult education in any district may not reduce the value of the weighted
             346      pupil unit for this program in another district.
             347          (6) The board shall provide the Legislature with a recommendation as to if and when any
             348      fees should be charged for participation in the adult high school completion programs funded
             349      under this section.
             350          (7) School districts shall spend money on adult basic skills programs according to
             351      standards established by the [State Board of Education] board.
             352          Section 9. Section 53A-17a-120 is amended to read:
             353           53A-17a-120. Weighted pupil units for accelerated learning programs.
             354          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$7,162,002 (3,863] $7,301,741
             355      (3,841 weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school boards for accelerated learning programs
             356      in grades one through 12, which include programs for the gifted and talented, concurrent
             357      enrollment, and advanced placement.
             358          (2) (a) A school participating in the concurrent enrollment programs offered under Section
             359      53A-15-101 shall receive on a per student basis up to $33.33 per quarter hour or $50 per semester
             360      hour for each hour of higher education course work undertaken at the school.
             361          [(b) The concurrent enrollment component of the appropriation under Subsection (1) and
             362      the appropriation under Subsection (4) are the revenue source for the Subsection (2)(a) payments.]
             363          [(c)] (b) Each year the amounts specified in Subsection (2)(a) shall be adjusted in
             364      proportion to the increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit from the prior year established
             365      in Subsection 53A-17a-103 (1).
             366          (3) (a) Districts shall spend monies for these programs according to standards established
             367      by the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             368      Rulemaking Act.


             369          (b) The State Board of Education shall develop uniform and consistent policies for school
             370      districts to follow in utilizing advanced placement and concurrent enrollment monies.
             371          Section 10. Section 53A-17a-121 is amended to read:
             372           53A-17a-121. Weighted pupil units for youth at risk programs.
             373          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$17,898,516 (9,654]
             374      $18,245,798 (9,598 weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school boards for youth at risk
             375      programs, including the following:
             376          (a) youth in custody;
             377          (b) [teenage] adolescent pregnancy prevention;
             378          (c) homeless and disadvantaged minority students;
             379          (d) mathematics, engineering, and science achievement programs; [and]
             380          (e) gang prevention and intervention; and
             381          (f) at-risk flow through.
             382          (2) Districts shall spend monies for these programs according to standards established by
             383      the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             384      Rulemaking Act.
             385          (3) (a) From the amount appropriated for youth at risk programs, the board shall allocate
             386      moneys for [teenage] adolescent pregnancy prevention programs to school districts on the basis
             387      of a district's total number of students enrolled in classes as of October 1 that teach a curriculum
             388      of [teenage] adolescent pregnancy prevention as compared to the total number of students enrolled
             389      in such programs in school districts throughout the state.
             390          (b) The [teenage] adolescent pregnancy prevention programs funded under this subsection
             391      shall require written consent from parents or guardians for student participation, involve parents
             392      or guardians of participating students in a substantial and consistent manner, and comply with the
             393      requirements of Sections 76-7-321 through 76-7-325 .
             394          (c) To qualify for participation in the program, a district shall demonstrate to the state
             395      board through prior research and pilot studies with similar student populations that those students
             396      attained and retained knowledge, values, attitudes, and behaviors that promote abstinence from
             397      sexual activity before marriage, and that the students had a lower pregnancy rate than comparison
             398      groups that did not participate in the program.
             399          (d) Further qualification requires approval by the local board and state board of all


             400      teaching materials, handouts, media materials, audiovisual materials, textbooks, curriculum
             401      materials, and course outlines to be used in the program.
             402          (e) The state board may not use a district's participation in the [teenage] adolescent
             403      pregnancy prevention program as an offset against the district's historical proportionate share of
             404      the remaining fund balance.
             405          (f) A school district may spend any additional moneys allocated for [teenage] adolescent
             406      pregnancy prevention programs as long as the programs comply with the guidelines established
             407      in Subsections (3)(b), (c), and (d), if the need for such a program is greater than the allocation
             408      received under Subsection (a).
             409          (4) (a) From the amount appropriated for youth at risk programs, the board shall allocate
             410      moneys to school districts for homeless and disadvantaged minority students.
             411          (b) Each district shall receive its allocation on the basis of:
             412          (i) the total number of homeless students in the district;
             413          (ii) added to 50% of the number of disadvantaged minority students in the district;
             414          (iii) multiplying the total of Subsections (i) and (ii) by the value of the weighted pupil unit;
             415      and
             416          (iv) prorating the amount under Subsection (iii) to the amount in Subsection (4)(a).
             417          (5) (a) From the amount appropriated for youth at risk programs, the board shall allocate
             418      moneys for mathematics, engineering, and science achievement programs, MESA programs, in the
             419      districts.
             420          (b) The board shall make the distribution to school districts on a competitive basis by
             421      application under guidelines established by the board.
             422          (6) (a) From the amount appropriated for youth at risk programs, the board shall distribute
             423      moneys for gang prevention and intervention programs at the district or school level.
             424          (b) The board shall make the distribution to school districts under guidelines established
             425      by the board consistent with Section 53A-15-601 .
             426          (7) (a) From the amount appropriated for youth at risk programs, the board shall distribute
             427      moneys for programs for youth in custody.
             428          (b) The board shall allocate these moneys to school districts which operate programs for
             429      youth in custody in accordance with standards established by the board.
             430          (c) In addition to the appropriation under Subsection (1), there is appropriated for the fiscal


             431      year beginning July 1, 1999, $1,000,000 for youth in custody programs operated by school
             432      districts.
             433          (8) From the amount appropriated for youth at-risk programs, the board shall allocate
             434      monies based on:
             435          (a) a formula which takes into account prior year WPU's per district and a district's low
             436      income population; and
             437          (b) a minimum base of no less than $18,600 for small school districts.
             438          Section 11. Section 53A-17a-123 is amended to read:
             439           53A-17a-123. State contribution for the local program.
             440          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$21,536,064 (11,616]
             441      $21,954,649 (11,549 weighted pupil units) for allocation to school districts for the local program
             442      on the basis of each district's prior year weighted pupil units for grades K-12 and necessarily
             443      existent small schools.
             444          (2) As an exception to Section 53A-17a-136 these monies may be used for the following
             445      purposes:
             446          (a) maintenance and operation costs;
             447          (b) capital outlay and debt service; or
             448          (c) a combination of maintenance and operation costs and capital outlay and debt service.
             449          Section 12. Section 53A-17a-124 is amended to read:
             450           53A-17a-124. State contributions to career ladders -- Distribution of appropriation
             451      -- Performance bonus.
             452          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$45,226,476 (24,394]
             453      $46,104,953 (24,253 weighted pupil units) for career ladders for distribution to school districts in
             454      accordance with career ladder guidelines provided by the state board and Title 53A, Chapter 9.
             455          (a) The state board shall distribute the appropriation, upon application, to each local school
             456      board by a formula based on the average of equal weighting considerations for:
             457          (i) a district's prior year average daily membership;
             458          (ii) the total number of teachers employed by a district during the prior year; and
             459          (iii) weighted pupil units allocated to the district.
             460          (b) The Legislature shall provide for an annual adjustment in the career ladder
             461      appropriation in proportion to:


             462          (i) the increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit established in this chapter; and
             463          (ii) the increase in the number of students in the state over the prior year.
             464          (2) Each school district participating in the career ladder program may spend career ladder
             465      monies:
             466          (a) to pay a performance bonus to teachers judged by the district as being outstanding in
             467      regular classroom performance;
             468          (b) (i) for additional nonteaching days for teachers to devote to curriculum development,
             469      inservice training, preparation, and related activities;
             470          (ii) a local board of education may specifically use from the career ladder appropriation
             471      an amount equivalent to $300 per eligible teacher per year for approved inservice costs, for daily
             472      stipends, for per diem expenses, and for eligible teacher trainers; and
             473          (c) for negotiated additional teacher compensation for extending the length of the
             474      instructional day or the number of instructional days.
             475          Section 13. Section 53A-17a-124.1 is amended to read:
             476           53A-17a-124.1. State contribution for staff development -- Training on personalized
             477      education plans.
             478          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$1,474,127] $1,965,577 for staff
             479      development for school teachers, including instruction in methods which incorporate the revised
             480      mathematics and science core curriculum, the use of technology as an instructional tool, and the
             481      development of teacher skills in the use of new assessment tools that demonstrate student
             482      competency.
             483          (2) The board shall use the appropriation to improve access to schooling for all students
             484      by training teachers to provide a personalized education plan to meet the needs of each child.
             485          (3) Included in the appropriation is $500,000 specifically designated for training teachers
             486      in implementing reading and literacy initiatives.
             487          Section 14. Section 53A-17a-124.5 is amended to read:
             488           53A-17a-124.5. Appropriation for class size reduction.
             489          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$47,840,616 (25,804]
             490      $56,225,877 (29,577 weighted pupil units) to reduce the average class size in kindergarten through
             491      the [sixth] eighth grade in the state's public schools.
             492          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), each district shall receive its allocation based


             493      upon prior year average daily membership in kindergarten through grade [six] eight plus growth
             494      as determined under Subsection 53A-17a-106 (3) as compared to the state total.
             495          (b) The State Board of Education shall distribute [12%] 5% of the appropriation to school
             496      districts based upon a formula developed by the board that takes into account:
             497          (i) a school district's ability to raise money for growth and accompanying capital facility
             498      needs;
             499          (ii) need as reflected by:
             500          (A) the current number of students in the affected grades in the district who are in
             501      alternative housing; and
             502          (B) growth in the affected grades both within the district and compared to the state as a
             503      whole; and
             504          (iii) the school district's past and present effort to raise money and to construct new or to
             505      better utilize existing facilities through scheduling or delivery systems in order to deal with class
             506      size reduction.
             507          (c) The formula used to distribute moneys under Subsection (2)(b) shall be phased out as
             508      follows:
             509          [(i) 12% of the moneys shall be distributed by the formula for the fiscal year beginning July
             510      1, 1998;]
             511          [(ii)] (i) [the formula percentage shall decrease to] 5% of the moneys shall be distributed
             512      by the formula for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999; and
             513          [(iii)] (ii) the formula distribution shall be totally eliminated for the fiscal year beginning
             514      July 1, 2000.
             515          (3) (a) A district may use its allocation to reduce class size in any one or all of the grades
             516      referred to under this section, except as otherwise provided in Subsection (3)(b).
             517          (b) (i) Each district shall use 50% of its allocation to reduce class size in any one or all
             518      of grades kindergarten through grade two, with an emphasis on improving student reading skills.
             519          (ii) If a district's average class size is below 18 in grades kindergarten through two, it may
             520      petition the state board for, and the state board may grant, a waiver to use its allocation under
             521      Subsection (3)(b)(i) for class size reduction in the other grades.
             522          (4) Schools may use nontraditional innovative and creative methods to reduce class sizes
             523      with this appropriation and may use part of their allocation to focus on class size reduction for


             524      specific groups, such as at risk students, or for specific blocks of time during the school day.
             525          (5) (a) A school district may use up to 20% of its allocation under Subsection (1) for
             526      capital facilities projects if such projects would help to reduce class size.
             527          (b) If a school district's student population increases by 5% or 700 students from the
             528      previous school year, the school district may use up to 50% of any allocation it receives under this
             529      section for classroom construction.
             530          (6) This appropriation is to supplement any other appropriation made for class size
             531      reduction.
             532          (7) (a) The State Board of Education shall compile information on class size, both in
             533      average student-teacher ratios and in actual number of students enrolled in each classroom by
             534      grade level for elementary grades and by subject matter for secondary grades.
             535          (b) The State Board of Education shall establish uniform class size reporting rules among
             536      districts.
             537          (c) Provisions may be made for explaining special circumstances where class size exceeds
             538      or is below normal distributions.
             539          (8) (a) Each school district shall provide [the State Board of Education with an annual
             540      accounting of how its allocation was used for class size reduction during the school year] annually
             541      to the state superintendent of public instruction a summary report on the overall district plan for
             542      utilizing class size reduction funds provided by the Legislature.
             543          [(b) The state superintendent of public instruction shall provide the Legislature and the
             544      governor with an annual report on the program's progress and success, including the information
             545      received under Subsection (8)(a).]
             546          (b) If the district has received new additional class size reduction funds during the previous
             547      year, the district shall report data identifying how:
             548          (i) the use of the funds complies with legislative intent; and
             549          (ii) the use of the funds supplements the district's class size reduction plan.
             550          (9) The Legislature shall provide for an annual adjustment in the appropriation authorized
             551      under this section in proportion to the increase in the number of students in the state in
             552      kindergarten through grade [six] eight.
             553          Section 15. Section 53A-17a-125 is amended to read:
             554           53A-17a-125. Appropriation for retirement and social security.


             555          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$229,443,217] $244,458,871
             556      for retirement and social security costs.
             557          (2) The employee's retirement contribution shall be 1% for employees who are under the
             558      state's contributory retirement program.
             559          (3) The employer's contribution under the state's contributory retirement program is
             560      determined under Section 49-2-301 , subject to the 1% contribution under Subsection (2).
             561          (4) The employer-employee contribution rate for employees who are under the state's
             562      noncontributory retirement program is determined under Section 49-3-301 .
             563          Section 16. Section 53A-17a-126 is amended to read:
             564           53A-17a-126. State support of pupil transportation -- Incentives to increase economy
             565      and productivity in student transportation.
             566          (1) The state's contribution of [$49,297,947] $50,237,319 for state-supported
             567      transportation of public school students is apportioned and distributed in accordance with Section
             568      53A-17a-127 , except as otherwise provided in this section.
             569          (2) (a) Included in the [$49,297,947] appropriation under Subsection (1) is an amount not
             570      less than $1,397,000 to be deducted prior to any other distribution under this section to school
             571      districts, and allocated to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to pay transportation costs
             572      of the schools' students.
             573          (b) The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind shall utilize these funds to pay for
             574      transportation of their students based on current valid contractual arrangements and best
             575      transportation options and methods as determined by the schools.
             576          (c) All student transportation costs of the schools shall be paid from the allocation received
             577      under Subsection (2).
             578          (3) Each district shall receive its approved transportation costs, except that if during the
             579      fiscal year the total transportation allowance for all districts exceeds the amount appropriated, all
             580      allowances shall be reduced pro rata to equal not more than that amount.
             581          (4) Included in the [$49,297,947] appropriation under Subsection (1) is an amount of
             582      $187,000 for transportation of students, as approved by the state board, for school districts that
             583      consolidate schools, implement double session programs at the elementary level, or utilize other
             584      alternatives to building construction that require additional student transportation.
             585          (5) (a) Part of the state's contribution for transportation, not to exceed $200,000, may be


             586      used as an incentive for districts to increase economy and productivity in student transportation.
             587          (b) This amount is distributed on a pro rata basis among districts which have achieved the
             588      most efficiency according to the state formula.
             589          (c) Districts receiving the incentive funding may expend the monies at the discretion of
             590      the local school board.
             591          (6) (a) Local school boards shall provide salary adjustments to employee groups that work
             592      with the transportation of students comparable to those of classified employees authorized under
             593      Section 53A-17a-137 , when dividing the weighted pupil unit for salary adjustment purposes.
             594          (b) The State Board of Education shall conduct a study to evaluate the reimbursement
             595      system of funding for pupil transportation with emphasis on looking at methodologies that will
             596      provide incentives for districts that will encourage economical practices.
             597          Section 17. Section 53A-17a-127 is amended to read:
             598           53A-17a-127. Eligibility for state-supported transportation -- Approved bus routes
             599      -- Additional local tax.
             600          (1) A student eligible for state-supported transportation means:
             601          (a) a student enrolled in kindergarten through grade six who lives at least 1 1/2 miles from
             602      school;
             603          (b) a student enrolled in grades seven through 12 who lives at least two miles from school;
             604      and
             605          (c) a student enrolled in a special program offered by a school district and approved by the
             606      State Board of Education for trainable, motor, multiple-disabled, or other students with severe
             607      disabilities who are incapable of walking to school or where it is unsafe for students to walk
             608      because of their handicapping condition, without reference to distance from school.
             609          (2) If a school district implements double sessions as an alternative to new building
             610      construction, with the approval of the State Board of Education, those affected elementary school
             611      students residing less than 1 1/2 miles from school may be transported one way to or from school
             612      because of safety factors relating to darkness or other hazardous conditions as determined by the
             613      local school board.
             614          (3) (a) The State Office of Education shall distribute transportation monies to school
             615      districts based on three factors:
             616          (i) an allowance per mile for approved bus routes;


             617          (ii) an allowance per hour for approved bus routes; and
             618          (iii) an annual allowance for equipment and overhead costs based on approved bus routes
             619      and the age of the equipment.
             620          (b) In order for a bus to be considered for the equipment allowance, it must meet federal
             621      and state regulations and standards for school buses.
             622          (c) The State Office of Education shall annually review the allowance per mile, the
             623      allowance per hour, and the annual equipment and overhead allowance and adjust the allowance
             624      to reflect current economic conditions.
             625          (4) (a) Approved bus routes for funding purposes shall be determined on fall data collected
             626      by October 1.
             627          (b) Approved route funding shall be determined on the basis of the most efficient and
             628      economic routes.
             629          (5) A Transportation Advisory Committee with representation from local school
             630      superintendents, business officials, school district transportation supervisors, and the State Office
             631      of Education shall serve as a review committee for addressing school transportation needs,
             632      including recommended approved bus routes.
             633          (6) (a) A local school board may provide for the transportation of students who are not
             634      eligible under Subsection (1), regardless of the distance from school, from:
             635          (i) general funds of the district; and
             636          (ii) a tax rate not to exceed .0003 per dollar of taxable value imposed on the district.
             637          (b) A local school board may use revenue from the tax to pay for transporting participating
             638      students to interscholastic activities, night activities, and educational field trips approved by the
             639      board and for the replacement of school buses.
             640          (c) (i) If a local school board levies a tax under Subsection (6)(a)(ii) of at least .0002, the
             641      state may contribute an amount not to exceed 85% of the state average cost per mile, contingent
             642      upon the Legislature appropriating funds for a state contribution.
             643          (ii) The State Office of Education shall distribute the state contribution according to rules
             644      enacted by the State Board of Education.
             645          (d) (i) The amount of state guarantee money to which a school district would otherwise
             646      be entitled to under Subsection (6)(c) may not be reduced for the sole reason that the district's levy
             647      is reduced as a consequence of changes in the certified tax rate under Section 59-2-924 pursuant


             648      to changes in property valuation.
             649          (ii) Subsection (6)(d)(i) applies for a period of two years following the change in the
             650      certified tax rate.
             651          (7) There is appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, $225,000 to the state
             652      board as the state's contribution under Subsection (6)(c)(i).
             653          Section 18. Section 53A-17a-128 is amended to read:
             654           53A-17a-128. Contingency fund for State Board of Education -- Laboratory school
             655      at Utah State University.
             656          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education from the total amount of state
             657      funds listed in Section 53A-17a-104 [$421,692] $419,246 as a contingency fund to do the
             658      following:
             659          (a) stabilize the value of the weighted pupil unit;
             660          (b) maintain program levels in districts that may experience unanticipated and unforeseen
             661      losses of students;
             662          (c) equalize programs in districts where a strict application of the law provides inequity;
             663          (d) pay the added costs when Utah students attend school out of state; and
             664          (e) assist in the operation of the laboratory school at Utah State University, [including]
             665      through the allocation of monies for a teacher career ladder program at the school.
             666          (2) The State Board of Education shall make a strict accounting of these funds and return
             667      any unused part to the Uniform School Fund at the close of each fiscal year.
             668          [(3) The state's contribution to the State Board of Education for the laboratory school at
             669      Utah State University is a part of the contingency fund.]
             670          [(4) The contribution shall be used to promote programs at the school.]
             671          [(5)] (3) (a) There is established an advisory board for the laboratory school consisting of
             672      the following:
             673          (i) the president of Utah State University or his designee;
             674          (ii) the state superintendent of public instruction or his designee;
             675          (iii) the dean of the College of Education at Utah State University or his designee;
             676          (iv) a local superintendent of schools;
             677          (v) a staff member from the office of the State Board of Education;
             678          (vi) a staff member from a local school board;


             679          (vii) a staff member from the College of Education at Utah State University; and
             680          (viii) two lay citizens noted for their contribution to the improvement of education.
             681          (b) The advisory board members in Subsections (a)(iv) through (viii) are appointed by the
             682      State Board of Education for terms specified by that body.
             683          Section 19. Section 53A-17a-129 is amended to read:
             684           53A-17a-129. State contribution for incentives for excellence.
             685          (1) The state's contribution of [$618,498] $614,911 for the incentives for excellence
             686      program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, [1998] 1999, is appropriated to the State Board of
             687      Education for distribution to school districts according to guidelines established by the board.
             688          (2) A school district shall use its allocation to promote a strong partnership between public
             689      education and private enterprise, to seek additional financial support from the business community,
             690      and to enhance its educational excellence.
             691          (3) School districts are encouraged under this program to develop projects that rely on
             692      matching private and public monies to promote educational excellence.
             693          Section 20. Section 53A-17a-130 is amended to read:
             694           53A-17a-130. State contribution to regional service centers.
             695          The state's contribution of [$1,084,495] $1,111,595 for regional service centers is
             696      appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution according to guidelines established
             697      by the board.
             698          Section 21. Section 53A-17a-131.1 is amended to read:
             699           53A-17a-131.1. State contribution to the educational technology initiative.
             700          (1) The state's contribution of [$8,505,682] $8,970,322 for maintaining the educational
             701      technology initiative programs is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution
             702      according to rules adopted by the board consistent with Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 7, Educational
             703      Technology Programs.
             704          (2) Monies received under this section may be used to maintain existing programs and for
             705      inservice programs required to implement the technology.
             706          (3) Each school district shall develop a comprehensive inservice plan and report
             707      expenditures for teacher training to the State Office of Education.
             708          Section 22. Section 53A-17a-131.2 is amended to read:
             709           53A-17a-131.2. State contribution to highly impacted schools program.


             710          The state's contribution of [$5,404,553] $4,873,207 for the Highly Impacted Schools
             711      Program is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution according to the formula
             712      adopted by the board under Section 53A-15-701 , which authorizes the Highly Impacted Schools
             713      Program.
             714          Section 23. Section 53A-17a-131.3 is amended to read:
             715           53A-17a-131.3. State contributions to the school nurses program.
             716          The state's contribution of [$399,265] $496,949 for the school nurses program is
             717      appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution according to guidelines established
             718      by the board.
             719          Section 24. Section 53A-17a-131.4 is amended to read:
             720           53A-17a-131.4. State contribution to Alternative Language Services Program.
             721          (1) The state's contribution of [$2,845,065] $2,828,564 for an Alternative Language
             722      Services Program is appropriated to the State Board of Education as a funding base for school
             723      districts to meet the limited-English-proficient and second language acquisition needs of Utah's
             724      language minority student population.
             725          (2) The board shall allocate the appropriation to school districts based on submission of
             726      [competitive] grant applications and assurances of and compliance with qualifying criteria
             727      established by the state board pursuant to its rulemaking authority.
             728          Section 25. Section 53A-17a-131.6 is amended to read:
             729           53A-17a-131.6. State contribution to Character Education Program.
             730          (1) The state's contribution of [$400,000] $397,680 for a Character Education Program for
             731      the fiscal year beginning July 1, [1998] 1999, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for
             732      distribution to school districts according to rules adopted by the state board.
             733          (2) School districts shall use the appropriation primarily for implementing curriculum
             734      within the classroom that provides for the direct instruction of students.
             735          (3) Character education monies shall also be used to provide inservice training to teachers
             736      on the use and teaching of character education materials and to acquaint teachers with the
             737      requirements in the Utah Constitution and state statutes to teach qualities of character.
             738          (4) Character education programs are to be systematic and comprehensive in their
             739      approach and include student materials, parental involvement, and teacher training.
             740          (5) The principles taught, such as integrity, social responsibility, and the importance of the


             741      work ethic should be designed to help students avoid high risk behaviors and learn to function as
             742      caring, productive citizens in society.
             743          (6) The State Office of Education shall assist districts and teachers in providing and
             744      recommending character education curriculum to students that meets the guidelines referred to in
             745      this section.
             746          (7) Proposals in which parents are involved with educators in all phases of the design,
             747      implementation, and evaluation of school and district programs shall be given highest priority.
             748          Section 26. Section 53A-17a-131.8 is amended to read:
             749           53A-17a-131.8. State contribution to the Comprehensive Guidance Program.
             750          (1) The state's contribution of [$6,900,784] $7,033,759 for a Comprehensive Guidance
             751      Program is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution to school districts as
             752      follows:
             753          (a) the board shall distribute the appropriation to districts to be used at their secondary
             754      schools in grades 7-12, with the following priority:
             755          (i) grades 9-12; and
             756          (ii) grades 7-8 for those schools which meet program standards, to provide a guidance
             757      curriculum and individual educational/occupational program for each student at the school;
             758          (b) each school shall meet qualification criteria established by rules made by the State
             759      Board of Education in order to receive moneys under this program; and
             760          (c) the appropriation shall also be used to provide responsive services and eliminate
             761      nonguidance activities currently being performed by counselors.
             762          (2) (a) It is anticipated that under this program counselors will increase direct services to
             763      students to involve at least 80% of the counselors' time and that districts shall document this with
             764      onsite review teams.
             765          (b) Districts shall provide training to their secondary teachers on their role in assisting in
             766      the development and implementation of SEOPs.
             767          (3) The state superintendent of public instruction shall:
             768          (a) prepare an inventory of working SEOPs for networking with schools throughout the
             769      state; and
             770          (b) monitor the program and provide an annual report on its progress and success.
             771          Section 27. Section 53A-17a-131.9 is amended to read:


             772           53A-17a-131.9. State contribution to agencies coming together for children and
             773      youth at risk.
             774          (1) There is appropriated [$1,257,966] $1,250,670 to the State Board of Education to
             775      implement Title 63, Chapter 75, Families, Agencies, and Communities Together for Children and
             776      Youth At Risk Act.
             777          (2) Participation in the at risk programs funded under this section shall require consent
             778      from a parent or legal guardian for the participant to receive initial or continuing services under
             779      the program.
             780          (3) A participant's parent or legal guardian shall be actively involved in the program and
             781      all applicable state and federal laws and regulations shall be observed by the entities and
             782      individuals providing the services.
             783          (4) The board shall use the appropriation to experiment on a community full-service
             784      delivery system level to provide data on the merits of moving the concept to a fully implemented
             785      statewide system.
             786          Section 28. Section 53A-17a-131.11 is enacted to read:
             787          53A-17a-131.11. State contribution to truancy intervention.
             788          The state's contribution of $150,000 for the Truancy Intervention Program is appropriated
             789      to the State Board of Education for distribution to school districts according to guidelines
             790      established by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             791      Rulemaking Act.
             792          Section 29. Section 53A-17a-131.12 is enacted to read:
             793          53A-17a-131.12. State contribution to Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-based
             794      Learning Programs.
             795          The state's contribution of $2,235,000 for the Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-based
             796      Learning Programs is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution to school
             797      districts according to guidelines established by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             798      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             799          Section 30. Section 53A-17a-132 is amended to read:
             800           53A-17a-132. Experimental and developmental programs.
             801          (1) The state's contribution of [$6,045,756] $5,933,056 for experimental and
             802      developmental programs is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution to school


             803      districts as follows:
             804          (a) the board shall distribute the first part, 34% of the appropriation, equally among the
             805      state's 40 school districts;
             806          (b) the board shall distribute the second part, 41% of the appropriation, to each district on
             807      the basis of its kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership for the prior year as
             808      compared to the prior year state total kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership;
             809      and
             810          (c) the board shall distribute 25% of the appropriation pursuant to standards established
             811      by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             812          (2) (a) A school district may fund a new experimental or developmental program with
             813      monies appropriated under Subsection (1) for a maximum of three consecutive years.
             814          (b) After the third year, the district shall either fund the program with regular ongoing
             815      program monies or terminate the program.
             816          (3) (a) The State Board of Education shall allocate $100,000 of the
             817      experimental-developmental appropriation for programs to improve the efficiency of classified
             818      employees in the public schools.
             819          (b) The programs should include training components, classified staffing formulas, and
             820      preventative maintenance formulas.
             821          (4) (a) The State Board of Education shall allocate $584,900 of the appropriation for the
             822      planning, development, and implementation of alternative experimental pilot programs, using
             823      certificated teachers, which are cooperative ventures that have demonstrated support of parents,
             824      the recognized teachers' organization, administrators, and students.
             825          (b) The State Board of Education shall select schools for the pilot programs by a grant
             826      process using selection criteria developed by the state board.
             827          (5) Models for experimental activities similar to the nine district consortium activities are
             828      permissible under the experimental and developmental appropriation.
             829          Section 31. Section 53A-17a-135 is amended to read:
             830           53A-17a-135. Certified revenue levy.
             831          (1) (a) In order to qualify for receipt of the state contribution toward the basic program and
             832      as its contribution toward its costs of the basic program, each school district shall impose a
             833      minimum basic tax rate per dollar of taxable value that generates [$175,959,630] $182,893,646


             834      in revenues statewide.
             835          (b) The preliminary estimate for the [1998-99] 1999-2000 tax rate is [.001858] .001847.
             836          (c) The State Tax Commission shall certify on or before June 22 the rate that generates
             837      [$175,959,630] $182,893,646 in revenues statewide.
             838          (d) If the minimum basic tax rate exceeds the certified revenue levy as defined in Section
             839      59-2-102 , the state is subject to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-926 .
             840          (e) For the calendar year beginning on January 1, 1998, and ending December 31, 1998,
             841      the certified revenue levy shall be increased by the amount necessary to offset the decrease in
             842      revenues from uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405 as a result of
             843      the decrease in uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405 enacted by the
             844      Legislature during the 1997 Annual General Session.
             845          (f) For the calendar year beginning on January 1, 1999, and ending on December 31, 1999,
             846      the certified revenue levy shall be adjusted by the amount necessary to offset the adjustment in
             847      revenues from uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405.1 as a result of
             848      the adjustment in uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405.1 enacted by
             849      the Legislature during the 1998 Annual General Session.
             850          (2) (a) The state shall contribute to each district toward the cost of the basic program in
             851      the district that portion which exceeds the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1).
             852          (b) In accord with the state strategic plan for public education and to fulfill its
             853      responsibility for the development and implementation of that plan, the Legislature instructs the
             854      State Board of Education, the governor, and the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst in each of the
             855      coming five years to develop budgets that will fully fund student enrollment growth.
             856          (3) (a) If the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) equal or exceed the cost
             857      of the basic program in a school district, no state contribution shall be made to the basic program.
             858          (b) The proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) which exceed the cost of the
             859      basic program shall be paid into the Uniform School Fund as provided by law.
             860          Section 32. Section 53A-21-105 is amended to read:
             861           53A-21-105. State contribution to capital outlay programs.
             862          (1) The state contribution toward the cost of the programs established under Section
             863      53A-21-102 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, [1998] 1999, shall consist of an appropriation
             864      totaling [$30,858,000] $29,358,000 to the State Board of Education[, $28,358,000] from the


             865      Uniform School Fund [and a one-time transfer of $2,500,000 from the remaining balance in the
             866      Minimum School Program Act for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997].
             867          [(2) Notwithstanding Subsection 53A-21-103 (3)(a), it is the intent of the Legislature that
             868      the $2,500,000 appropriated from transfers shall be used only for the Capital Outlay Equalization
             869      Program.]
             870          (2) Of the amount appropriated under Subsection (1), $1,000,000 is one-time money.
             871          Section 33. One-time appropriations.
             872          (1) In addition to the contributions and appropriations set out in Title 53A, Chapter 17a,
             873      Minimum School Program Act, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, there is appropriated
             874      from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education for distribution to school districts
             875      for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, $2,000,000 in one-time nonlapsing moneys as follows:
             876          (a) $355,305 for the Centennial Schools Program for distribution under Section
             877      53A-1a-303 ;
             878          (b) $1,567,060 for the Schools for the 21st Century Program for distribution under Section
             879      53A-1a-403 ; and
             880          (c) $77,635 for extended year experimental - developmental programs.
             881          (2) There is appropriated from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education
             882      for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, $200,000 in one-time moneys for staff development in
             883      school districts.
             884          Section 34. Intent language.
             885          (1) (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that an audit of the Youth in Custody Program be
             886      done and that funding be justified based on program goals, delivery, and success.
             887          (b) The State Office of Education is required, prior to the next Legislative General Session,
             888      to provide adequate evaluation and program justification.
             889          (c) Recommendations are to include alternative options for service delivery with emphasis
             890      on achieving greater funding efficiency.
             891          (2) (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Office of Education provide a report
             892      on its professional development programs to include the number of teachers participating and the
             893      type of training given.
             894          (b) It is the further intent of the Legislature that continuation of future funding be based
             895      on selected criteria that achieve defined goals and that this information be provided to the 2000


             896      Legislature.
             897          (3) (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Office of Education study and
             898      evaluate the Comprehensive Guidance Program and provide a report that outlines the goals of the
             899      program and assesses whether the program is achieving those goals.
             900          (b) It is further intended that the office evaluate the program to determine if a
             901      recommendation to move it to a weighted pupil unit driven program is justified.
             902          (4) (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Office of Education provide a report
             903      on FACT to the Education Appropriations Subcommittee that details the amount funded for
             904      personnel, the number of FTEs in the program, and the amount for services and program
             905      effectiveness and the type of services.
             906          (b) The office shall report data specific to kindergarten through grade three and Local
             907      Interagency Council services.
             908          (5) It is the intent of the Legislature that each school district evaluate its outdoor athletic
             909      facilities and upgrade the facilities as funds permit.
             910          (6) (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that if the average class size increases during the
             911      school year in a particular grade at a school, the school should use a portion of its class size
             912      reduction moneys to adjust the class size downward in that grade, if warranted by the increased
             913      number of students.
             914          (b) The reduction may be done by hiring additional educators to go into existing
             915      classrooms or creating new teaching stations for the additional educators.
             916          (7) It is the intent of the Legislature that no schools be dropped from the Highly Impacted
             917      Schools Program who meet the criteria for the program.
             917a           S [S [] h (8)(a) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT THE STATE OFFICE OF EDUCATION
             917b      WORK WITH THE EDUCATION INTERIM COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS
             917c      SUBCOMMITTEE DURING THE 1999 INTERIM TO STUDY THE CONSOLIDATION OR ELIMINATION OF
             917d      LINE ITEMS IN THE MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH
             917e      GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO OPERATE THE STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
             917f          (b) THE OFFICE SHALL MAKE A FINAL REPORT, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
             917g      MODIFYING THE MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT, TO THE COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE NO
             917h      LATER THAN NOVEMBER 15, 1999. h [ ] s ] s

             918          Section 35. Effective date.
             919          This act takes effect on July 1, 1999, except that Subsections (1)(a), (b), and (c) of Section
             920      33 takes effect on May 3, 1999.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 3-1-99 6:26 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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