Download Zipped Amended WP 8.0 SB0003.ZIP 42,840 Bytes
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 3

             1     

MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2000 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson

             6      AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR STATE AND LOCAL
             7      FUNDING OF THE MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT; PROVIDING A CEILING FOR
             8      THE STATE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS PORTION OF
             9      THE ACT NOT TO EXCEED $1,535,110,246; ESTABLISHING THE VALUE OF THE
             10      WEIGHTED PUPIL UNIT AT $2,006; PROVIDING DISTRIBUTION FORMULAS;
             11      PROVIDING A $28,358,000 APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL BUILDING AID; PROVIDING
             12      $10,400,000 IN ONE-TIME APPROPRIATIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
             13      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             14      AMENDS:
             15          53A-17a-103, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             16          53A-17a-104, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             17          53A-17a-111, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             18          53A-17a-112, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             19          53A-17a-113, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             20          53A-17a-116, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             21          53A-17a-119, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             22          53A-17a-120, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             23          53A-17a-121, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             24          53A-17a-123, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             25          53A-17a-124, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             26          53A-17a-124.1, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             27          53A-17a-124.5, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999


             28          53A-17a-125, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             29          53A-17a-126, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             30          53A-17a-128, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             31          53A-17a-129, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             32          53A-17a-130, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             33          53A-17a-131.1, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             34          53A-17a-131.2, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             35          53A-17a-131.3, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             36          53A-17a-131.4, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             37          53A-17a-131.6, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             38          53A-17a-131.8, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             39          53A-17a-131.9, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             40          53A-17a-131.11, as enacted by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             41          53A-17a-131.12, as enacted by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             42          53A-17a-132, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             43          53A-17a-135, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             43a          h 53A-17a-137, as last amended by Chapter 4, Laws of Utah 1993 h
             44          53A-21-105, as last amended by Chapter 332, Laws of Utah 1999
             44a           S 53A-25-111, as enacted by Chapter 250, Law of Utah 1998 s
             45      ENACTS:
             46          53A-17a-131.13, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47          53A-17a-131.14, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          53A-17a-131.15, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          53A-17a-131.16, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50          53A-17a-131.17, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51          53A-17a-131.18, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51a           S 53A-17a-131.19, Utah Code Annotated 1953 s
             52      REPEALS:
             53          53A-17a-124.7, as enacted by Chapter 232, Laws of Utah 1998
             54          53A-17a-131.5, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1998
             55      This act enacts uncodified material.
             56      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             57          Section 1. Section 53A-17a-103 is amended to read:
             58           53A-17a-103. Definitions.


             59          As used in this chapter:
             60          (1) "Basic state-supported school program" or "basic program" means public education
             61      programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school students that are operated and
             62      maintained for the amount derived by multiplying the number of weighted pupil units for each
             63      district by [$1,901] $2,006, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
             64          (2) "Certified revenue levy" means a property tax levy that provides the same amount of
             65      ad valorem property tax revenue as was collected for the prior year, plus new growth, but exclusive
             66      of revenue from collections from redemptions, interest, and penalties.
             67          (3) "Leeway program" or "leeway" means a state-supported voted leeway program or board
             68      leeway program authorized under Section 53A-17a-133 or 53A-17a-134 .
             69          (4) "Pupil in average daily membership (ADM)" means a full-day equivalent pupil.
             70          (5) "State-supported minimum school program" or "minimum school program" means
             71      public school programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools.
             72          (a) The minimum school program established in the districts shall include the equivalent
             73      of a school term of nine months as determined by the State Board of Education.
             74          (b) (i) The board shall establish the number of days or equivalent instructional hours that
             75      school is held for an academic school year.
             76          (ii) Education, enhanced by utilization of technologically enriched delivery systems, when
             77      approved by local school boards, shall receive full support by the State Board of Education as it
             78      pertains to fulfilling the 990-hour attendance requirements, excluding time spent viewing
             79      commercial advertising.
             80          (c) The program shall be operated and maintained for the total of the following annual
             81      costs:
             82          (i) the cost of a basic state-supported school program;
             83          (ii) the amount appropriated in Section 53A-17a-123 for the local program;
             84          (iii) the amount appropriated in Section 53A-17a-125 for retirement and social security;
             85          (A) each school district shall receive its share of retirement and social security monies
             86      based on its total weighted pupil units compared to the total weighted pupil units for all districts
             87      in the state;
             88          (B) the monies needed to support retirement and social security shall be determined by
             89      taking the district's prior year allocation and adjusting it for student growth, for the percentage


             90      increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit, and the effect of any change in the rates for
             91      retirement, social security, or both;
             92          (iv) the amount of the employer contribution required or made in behalf of employees
             93      under Sections 49-2-301 and 49-3-301 ;
             94          (v) the amount of the employer contribution under Section 1400 of the Federal Insurance
             95      Contribution Act in accordance with Section 67-11-5 for local school boards;
             96          (vi) the amount appropriated in Chapter 17a:
             97          (A) for an incentives for excellence program;
             98          (B) as a contingency fund for the State Board of Education;
             99          (C) for state-supported transportation;
             100          (D) for a [teacher inservice] staff development program;
             101          (E) for regional service centers;
             102          (F) for the educational technology initiative program;
             103          (G) for a school nurse program;
             104          (H) for a comprehensive guidance program;
             105          (I) for families, agencies, and communities together for children and youth at risk
             106      programs;
             107          (J) for experimental and developmental programs;
             108          (K) for alternative language services programs;
             109          (L) for highly impacted schools; [and]
             110          (M) for character education programs; [and]
             111          (N) for technology, life, careers, and work-based programs;
             112          (O) for truancy intervention and prevention programs;
             113          (P) for a transportation levy program;
             114          (Q) for a reading initiative program;
             115          (R) for a reading performance improvement scholarship program;
             116          (S) for an alternative middle schools program;
             117          (T) for a school land trust program; and
             118          (U) for an assessment and accountability program; and
             119          (vii) the cost of a leeway program.
             120          (d) The program includes school construction aid programs authorized under Title 53A,


             121      Chapter 21, Public Education Capital Outlay Act.
             122          (6) "Weighted pupil unit or units" means the unit of measure of factors that is computed
             123      in accordance with this chapter for the purpose of determining the costs of a program on a uniform
             124      basis for each district.
             125          Section 2. Section 53A-17a-104 is amended to read:
             126           53A-17a-104. Amount of state's contribution toward minimum school program.
             127          (1) The total contribution of the state toward the cost of the operation and maintenance
             128      portion of the minimum school program, as provided and defined in Section 53A-17a-103 , may
             129      not exceed the sum of [$1,439,215,683] $1,535,110,246 for the [1999-2000] 2000-01 school year,
             130      except as otherwise provided by the Legislature through supplemental appropriations.
             131          (2) It is intended that the funds provided are for the following purposes and in the
             132      following amounts:
             133                                           Estimated State and
             134      Estimated                                 Local Funds at
             135                                               [$1,901] $2,006
             136      Weighted             Purpose                 Per Weighted
             137      Pupil Units            State Contribution                 Pupil Unit
             138      [19,604] 20,222    Basic program - kindergarten.        [$37,267,204] $40,565,332
             139      [427,276] 426,422    Basic program - grades 1-12.         [$812,251,676] $855,402,532
             140      41,394        Basic program - professional staff.        [$78,689,994] $83,036,364
             141      1,655         Basic program - administrative costs.    [$3,146,155] $3,319,930
             142      [5,494] 7,080         Basic program - necessarily existent small     [$10,444,094] $14,202,480
             143                  schools and units for consolidated schools.    
             144      52,697    Special education - regular program            [$100,176,997] $105,710,182
             145                   - add-on WPUs for students with disabilities.
             146      [4,724] 5,038    Preschool Special Education Program.         [$8,980,324] $10,106,228
             147      12,299    Self-contained regular WPUs.            [$23,380,399] $24,671,794
             148      237    Extended year program for severely disabled.     [$450,537] $475,422
             149      1,350    Special education - state programs.             [$2,566,350] $2,708,100
             150      19,464    Applied technology and technical education        [$37,001,064] $39,044,784
             151                   district programs.


             152      989    Applied technology district set-aside.         [$1,880,089] $1,983,934
             153      [9,598] 10,039    Youth at risk programs.            [$18,245,798] $20,138,234
             154      3,407    Adult education.                     [$6,476,707] $6,834,442
             155      3,841    Accelerated learning programs.             [$7,301,741] $7,705,046
             156      11,549    Local programs.
            [$21,954,649] $23,167,294
             157      24,253    Career ladder.
            [$46,104,953] $48,651,518
             158      29,577    Class size reduction.                    [$56,225,877] $59,331,462
             159      [669,408] 671,513    TOTAL OF ALL ABOVE         [$1,272,544,608] $1,347,055,078
             160                   PROGRAMS    
             161                  Social Security and retirement programs.    [$244,458,871] $253,325,728
             162                   Pupil Transportation to and from school.    [$50,237,319] $53,236,772
             163                  Contingency fund.                     $419,246
             164                  Incentives for excellence.                 $614,911
             165                  Regional service centers.             [$1,111,595] $1,172,733
             166                  Staff Development.                     $1,965,577
             167                  Comprehensive Guidance.             S [ $7,033,759 ] $7,420,659 s
             168                  Educational Technology Initiative[.]             $8,970,322
             169                  - Maintenance.
             170                   Alternative Language Services.         [$2,828,564] $3,328,564
             171                  Highly Impacted Schools.                 $4,873,207
             172                  Character Education Program.             $397,680
             173                  Families, Agencies, and Communities Together.     $1,250,670
             174                  School Nurses.                      $496,949
             175                  Transportation Levy.                     $225,000
             176                  Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-Based         $2,235,000
             177                  Learning Programs.
             178                  Truancy Intervention and Prevention.         $150,000
             179                  [Youth in Custody.]                     [$1,000,000]
             180                  Reading Performance Improvement
             181                  Scholarship Program.                     $9,000
             182                  Reading Initiative.                     $5,000,000


             183                  Experimental and Developmental Program.         $5,933,056
             184                  Alternative Middle Schools Program.         $2,000,000
             185                  School Land Trust Program.                 $4,775,000
             186                  Assessment and Accountability Program.         $3,500,000
             187               S [     Comprehensive Guidance - Elementary Schools.     $1,500,000 ]
             187a                  STATE CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS.        $1,113,100 s
             188                  State-supported voted leeway.     [$109,075,315] $121,242,797
             189                  State-supported board leeway.        [$34,968,963] $36,111,863
             190                  Total estimated contributions to     [$1,750,790,612] $1,866,822,912
             191                  school districts for all programs.    
             192                  Less estimated proceeds from     [$311,574,929] $331,712,666
             193                  state-supported local levies.
             194                  TOTAL STATE FUNDS         [$1,439,215,683] $1,535,110,246
             195          Section 3. Section 53A-17a-111 is amended to read:
             196           53A-17a-111. Weighted pupil units for programs for students with disabilities --
             197      District allocation.
             198          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$135,554,607 (71,307]
             199      $143,671,726 (71,621 weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school board programs for
             200      students with disabilities.
             201          (2) Included in the appropriation is [$100,176,997] $105,710,182 for add-on WPUs for
             202      students with disabilities enrolled in regular programs.
             203          (3) The number of weighted pupil units for students with disabilities shall reflect the direct
             204      cost of programs for those students conducted in accordance with definitions, guidelines, rules, and
             205      standards established by the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             206      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             207          (4) Disability program monies allocated to districts are restricted and shall be spent for the
             208      education of students with disabilities but may include expenditures for approved programs of
             209      services conducted for certified instructional personnel who have students with disabilities in their
             210      classes.
             211          (5) The State Board of Education shall establish and strictly interpret definitions and
             212      provide standards for determining which students have disabilities and shall assist districts in
             213      determining the services that should be provided to students with disabilities.


             214          (6) Each year the board shall evaluate the standards and guidelines that establish the
             215      identifying criteria for disability classifications to assure strict compliance with those standards by
             216      the districts.
             217          (7) Each district shall receive its allocation of monies appropriated in Subsection
             218      53A-17a-111 (2) for add-on WPUs for students with disabilities enrolled in regular programs as
             219      provided in this subsection.
             220          (a) The State Board of Education shall use the total number of special education add-on
             221      weighted pupil units used to fund fiscal year 1989-90 as a foundation for the special education
             222      add-on appropriation.
             223          (b) A district's special education add-on WPUs for the current year may not be less than
             224      the foundation special education add-on WPUs.
             225          (8) When monies appropriated under this chapter fund the foundation weighted pupil units,
             226      as outlined in Subsection (7)(a), growth WPUs shall be added to the prior year special education
             227      add-on WPUs, and growth WPUs shall be determined as follows:
             228          (a) The special education student growth factor is calculated by comparing S-3 total special
             229      education ADM of two years previous to the current year to the S-3 total special education ADM
             230      three years previous to the current year, not to exceed the official October total district growth
             231      factor from the prior year.
             232          (b) When calculating and applying the growth factor, a district's S-3 total special education
             233      ADM for a given year is limited to 12.18% of the district's S-3 total student ADM for the same
             234      year.
             235          (c) Growth ADMs are calculated by applying the growth factor in Subsection (8)(a) to the
             236      S-3 total special education ADM of two years previous to the current year.
             237          (d) Growth ADMs for each district in Subsection (8)(c) are multiplied by 1.53 weighted
             238      pupil units and added to the prior year special education add-on WPU to determine each district's
             239      total allocation.
             240          (9) If monies appropriated under this chapter for programs for students with disabilities
             241      do not meet the costs of districts for those programs, each district shall first receive the amount
             242      generated for each student with a disability under the basic program.
             243          Section 4. Section 53A-17a-112 is amended to read:
             244           53A-17a-112. Preschool special education appropriation -- Extended year program


             245      appropriation -- Appropriation for special education programs in state institutions.
             246          (1) Included in the [$135,554,607] $143,671,726 appropriation under Section
             247      53A-17a-111 is:
             248          (a) an amount of [$8,980,324] $10,106,228 for preschool special education programs;
             249          (b) an amount of [$23,380,399] $24,671,794 for self-contained regular WPU special
             250      education programs;
             251          (c) an amount of [$450,537] $475,422 for extended year programs for the severely
             252      disabled; and
             253          (d) an amount of [$2,566,350] $2,708,100 for special education programs in state
             254      institutions and for district impact aid.
             255          (2) (a) The amount designated for the preschool special education program under
             256      Subsection (1)(a) is allocated to school districts to provide a free, appropriate public education to
             257      preschool students with a disability, ages three through five.
             258          (b) The monies are distributed on the basis of a school district's previous year December
             259      1 disabled preschool child count as mandated by federal law.
             260          (3) The extended school year program for the severely disabled is limited to students with
             261      severe disabilities with education program goals identifying significant regression and recoupment
             262      disability as approved by the State Board of Education.
             263          (4) (a) The monies appropriated for self-contained regular special education programs may
             264      not be used to supplement other school programs.
             265          (b) Monies in any of the other restricted line item appropriations may not be reduced more
             266      than 2% to be used for purposes other than those specified by the appropriation, unless otherwise
             267      provided by law.
             268          (5) (a) The State Board of Education shall compute preschool funding by a factor of 1.205
             269      times the current December 1 child count of eligible preschool aged three, four, and five-year-olds
             270      times the WPU value, limited to 8% growth over the prior year December 1 count.
             271          (b) The board shall develop guidelines to implement the funding formula for preschool
             272      special education, and establish prevalence limits for distribution of the monies.
             273          Section 5. Section 53A-17a-113 is amended to read:
             274           53A-17a-113. Weighted pupil units for applied technology education programs --
             275      Funding of approved programs -- Performance measures -- Qualifying criteria.


             276          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board for Applied Technology Education, hereafter
             277      referred to in this section as the board, [$37,001,064] $39,044,784 (19,464 weighted pupil units)
             278      to pay the added instructional costs of approved applied technology education programs.
             279          (a) Included in the appropriation is [$800,321] $844,526 (421 weighted pupil units) for
             280      summer applied technology agriculture programs.
             281          (b) These monies are allocated to eligible recipients as provided in Subsections (2), (3),
             282      and (4).
             283          (c) Money appropriated under Subsection 53A-17a-113 (1) and any money appropriated
             284      for work-based education may not be used to fund programs below the ninth grade level.
             285          (2) Weighted pupil units are computed for pupils in approved programs.
             286          (a) The board shall fund approved programs based upon hours of membership of 9th
             287      through 12th grade students.
             288          (b) The board shall use an amount not to exceed 20% of the total appropriation under this
             289      section to fund approved programs based on performance measures such as placement and
             290      competency attainment defined in standards set by the board for districts to qualify for applied
             291      technology funding.
             292          (c) Leadership organization funds shall constitute an amount not to exceed 1% of the total
             293      appropriation under this section, and shall be distributed to each local educational agency
             294      sponsoring applied technology student leadership organizations in a ratio representing the agency's
             295      share of the state's total membership in those organizations.
             296          (d) The board shall make the necessary calculations for distribution of the appropriation
             297      to school districts and may revise and recommend changes necessary for achieving equity and ease
             298      of administration.
             299          (3) (a) Twenty weighted pupil units shall be computed for each district, or 25 weighted
             300      pupil units may be computed for each district that consolidates applied technology administrative
             301      services with one or more other districts.
             302          (b) Between 10 and 25 weighted pupil units shall be computed for each high school
             303      conducting approved applied technology education programs in a district according to standards
             304      established by the board.
             305          (c) Forty weighted pupil units shall be computed for each district that operates an approved
             306      district applied technology center.


             307          (d) Between five and seven weighted pupil units shall be computed for each summer
             308      applied technology agriculture program according to standards established by the board.
             309          (e) The board shall, by rule, establish qualifying criteria for districts to receive weighted
             310      pupil units under Subsection (3).
             311          (4) (a) All monies allocated under Subsection (1) are computed by using average daily
             312      membership in approved programs for the previous year.
             313          (b) A district that has experienced student growth in grades 9 through 12 for the previous
             314      year shall have the growth factor applied to the previous year's weighted pupil units when
             315      calculating the allocation of monies under this subsection.
             316          (5) (a) The board shall establish rules for the upgrading of high school applied technology
             317      education programs.
             318          (b) The rules shall reflect technical training and actual marketable job skills in society.
             319          (c) The rules shall include procedures to assist school districts to convert existing
             320      programs which are not preparing students for the job market into programs that will accomplish
             321      that purpose.
             322          (6) Programs that do not meet board standards may not be funded under this section.
             323          Section 6. Section 53A-17a-116 is amended to read:
             324           53A-17a-116. Weighted pupil units for applied technology set-aside programs.
             325          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board for Applied Technology Education
             326      [$1,880,089] $1,983,934 (989 weighted pupil units) for an applied technology set-aside program.
             327          (2) Applied technology set-aside funds appropriated to the board are allocated by Request
             328      for Proposal (RFP) to provide a district minimum payment for applied technology education.
             329          (3) Each district shall receive a guaranteed minimum allocation.
             330          (4) The set-aside funds remaining after the initial minimum payment allocation are
             331      distributed by an RFP process to help pay for equipment costs necessary to initiate new programs
             332      and for high priority programs as determined by labor market information.
             333          Section 7. Section 53A-17a-119 is amended to read:
             334           53A-17a-119. Weighted pupil units for adult education programs.
             335          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$6,476,707] $6,834,442 (3,407
             336      weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school boards for adult education programs, consisting
             337      of adult high school completion and adult basic skills programs.


             338          (2) Each district shall receive its pro rata share of the appropriation for adult high school
             339      completion programs based on the number of people listed in the latest official census who are
             340      over 18 years of age and who do not have a high school diploma and prior year participation.
             341          (3) On February 1 of each school year, the State Board of Education shall recapture monies
             342      not used for an adult high school completion program for reallocation to districts that have
             343      implemented programs based on need and effort as determined by the board.
             344          (4) To the extent of monies available, school districts shall provide programs to adults who
             345      do not have a diploma and who intend to graduate from high school, with particular emphasis on
             346      homeless individuals who are seeking literacy and life skills.
             347          (5) Overruns in adult education in any district may not reduce the value of the weighted
             348      pupil unit for this program in another district.
             349          (6) The board shall provide the Legislature with a recommendation as to if and when any
             350      fees should be charged for participation in the adult high school completion programs funded
             351      under this section.
             352          (7) School districts shall spend money on adult basic skills programs according to
             353      standards established by the board.
             354          Section 8. Section 53A-17a-120 is amended to read:
             355           53A-17a-120. Weighted pupil units for accelerated learning programs.
             356          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$7,301,741] $7,705,046 (3,841
             357      weighted pupil units) for allocation to local school boards for accelerated learning programs in
             358      grades one through 12, which include programs for the gifted and talented, concurrent enrollment,
             359      and advanced placement.
             360          (2) (a) A school participating in the concurrent enrollment programs offered under Section
             361      53A-15-101 shall receive on a per student basis up to $33.33 per quarter hour or $50 per semester
             362      hour for each hour of higher education course work undertaken at the school.
             363          (b) Each year the amounts specified in Subsection (2)(a) shall be adjusted in proportion to
             364      the increase in the value of the weighted pupil unit from the prior year established in Subsection
             365      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 9. 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 [$18,245,798 (9,598]
             374      $20,138,234 (10,039 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) adolescent pregnancy prevention;
             378          (c) homeless and disadvantaged minority students;
             379          (d) mathematics, engineering, and science achievement programs;
             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 adolescent pregnancy prevention programs to school districts on the basis of a district's
             387      total number of students enrolled in classes as of October 1 that teach a curriculum of adolescent
             388      pregnancy prevention as compared to the total number of students enrolled in such programs in
             389      school districts throughout the state.
             390          (b) The adolescent pregnancy prevention programs funded under this subsection shall
             391      require written consent from parents or guardians for student participation, involve parents or
             392      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 adolescent pregnancy
             403      prevention program as an offset against the district's historical proportionate share of the remaining
             404      fund balance.
             405          (f) A school district may spend any additional moneys allocated for adolescent pregnancy
             406      prevention programs as long as the programs comply with the guidelines established in
             407      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


             431      fiscal 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 10. 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 [$21,954,649] $23,167,294
             441      (11,549 weighted pupil units) for allocation to school districts for the local program on the basis
             442      of each district's prior year weighted pupil units for grades K-12 and necessarily existent small
             443      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 11. 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 [$46,104,953] $48,651,518
             453      (24,253 weighted pupil units) for career ladders for distribution to school districts in accordance
             454      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 12. 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 -- Training on reading and literacy initiatives.
             478          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education for the fiscal year beginning July
             479      1, 2000, $1,965,577 for staff development for school teachers, including instruction in methods
             480      which incorporate the [revised mathematics and science] core curriculum, with emphasis on
             481      language arts/reading, mathematics, science, and other areas, the use of technology as an
             482      instructional tool, and the development of teacher skills in the use of new assessment tools that
             483      demonstrate student competency.
             484          (2) The board shall use the appropriation to improve access to schooling for all students
             485      by training teachers to provide a personalized education plan to meet the needs of each child.
             486          [(3) Included in the appropriation is $500,000 specifically designated for training teachers
             487      in implementing reading and literacy initiatives.]
             488          Section 13. Section 53A-17a-124.5 is amended to read:
             489           53A-17a-124.5. Appropriation for class size reduction.
             490          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$56,225,877] for the fiscal year
             491      beginning July 1, 2000, $59,331,462 (29,577 weighted pupil units) to reduce the average class size
             492      in kindergarten through the eighth grade in the state's public schools.


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


             524          (5) (a) A school district may use up to 20% of its allocation under Subsection (1) for
             525      capital facilities projects if such projects would help to reduce class size.
             526          (b) If a school district's student population increases by 5% or 700 students from the
             527      previous school year, the school district may use up to 50% of any allocation it receives under this
             528      section for classroom construction.
             529          (6) This appropriation is to supplement any other appropriation made for class size
             530      reduction.
             531          (7) (a) The State Board of Education shall compile information on class size, both in
             532      average student-teacher ratios and in actual number of students enrolled in each classroom by
             533      grade level for elementary grades and by subject matter for secondary grades.
             534          (b) The State Board of Education shall establish uniform class size reporting rules among
             535      districts.
             536          (c) Provisions may be made for explaining special circumstances where class size exceeds
             537      or is below normal distributions.
             538          (8) (a) Each school district shall provide annually to the state superintendent of public
             539      instruction a summary report on the overall district plan for utilizing class size reduction funds
             540      provided by the Legislature.
             541          (b) If the district has received new additional class size reduction funds during the previous
             542      year, the district shall report data identifying how:
             543          (i) the use of the funds complies with legislative intent; and
             544          (ii) the use of the funds supplements the district's class size reduction plan.
             545          (9) The Legislature shall provide for an annual adjustment in the appropriation authorized
             546      under this section in proportion to the increase in the number of students in the state in
             547      kindergarten through grade eight.
             548          Section 14. Section 53A-17a-125 is amended to read:
             549           53A-17a-125. Appropriation for retirement and social security.
             550          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education [$244,458,871] $253,325,728
             551      for retirement and social security costs.
             552          (2) The employee's retirement contribution shall be 1% for employees who are under the
             553      state's contributory retirement program.
             554          (3) The employer's contribution under the state's contributory retirement program is


             555      determined under Section 49-2-301 , subject to the 1% contribution under Subsection (2).
             556          (4) The employer-employee contribution rate for employees who are under the state's
             557      noncontributory retirement program is determined under Section 49-3-301 .
             558          Section 15. Section 53A-17a-126 is amended to read:
             559           53A-17a-126. State support of pupil transportation -- Incentives to increase economy
             560      and productivity in student transportation.
             561          (1) The state's contribution of [$50,237,319] $53,236,772 for state-supported
             562      transportation of public school students is apportioned and distributed in accordance with Section
             563      53A-17a-127 , except as otherwise provided in this section.
             564          (2) (a) Included in the appropriation under Subsection (1) is an amount not less than
             565      [$1,397,000] $1,710,235 to be deducted prior to any other distribution under this section to school
             566      districts, and allocated to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to pay transportation costs
             567      of the schools' students.
             568          (b) The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind shall utilize these funds to pay for
             569      transportation of their students based on current valid contractual arrangements and best
             570      transportation options and methods as determined by the schools.
             571          (c) All student transportation costs of the schools shall be paid from the allocation received
             572      under Subsection (2).
             573          (3) Each district shall receive its approved transportation costs, except that if during the
             574      fiscal year the total transportation allowance for all districts exceeds the amount appropriated, all
             575      allowances shall be reduced pro rata to equal not more than that amount.
             576          (4) Included in the appropriation under Subsection (1) is an amount of $187,000 for
             577      transportation of students, as approved by the state board, for school districts that consolidate
             578      schools, implement double session programs at the elementary level, or utilize other alternatives
             579      to building construction that require additional student transportation.
             580          (5) (a) Part of the state's contribution for transportation, not to exceed $200,000, may be
             581      used as an incentive for districts to increase economy and productivity in student transportation.
             582          (b) This amount is distributed on a pro rata basis among districts which have achieved the
             583      most efficiency according to the state formula.
             584          (c) Districts receiving the incentive funding may expend the monies at the discretion of
             585      the local school board.


             586          (6) (a) Local school boards shall provide salary adjustments to employee groups that work
             587      with the transportation of students comparable to those of classified employees authorized under
             588      Section 53A-17a-137 , when dividing the weighted pupil unit for salary adjustment purposes.
             589          (b) The State Board of Education shall conduct a study to evaluate the reimbursement
             590      system of funding for pupil transportation with emphasis on looking at methodologies that will
             591      provide incentives for districts that will encourage economical practices.
             592          Section 16. Section 53A-17a-128 is amended to read:
             593           53A-17a-128. Contingency fund for State Board of Education -- Laboratory school
             594      at Utah State University.
             595          (1) There is appropriated to the State Board of Education from the total amount of state
             596      [funds] monies listed in Section 53A-17a-104 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, $419,246
             597      as a contingency fund to do the following:
             598          (a) stabilize the value of the weighted pupil unit;
             599          (b) maintain program levels in districts that may experience unanticipated and unforeseen
             600      losses of students;
             601          (c) equalize programs in districts where a strict application of the law provides inequity;
             602          (d) pay the added costs when Utah students attend school out of state; and
             603          (e) assist in the operation of the laboratory school at Utah State University, through the
             604      allocation of monies for a teacher career ladder program at the school.
             605          (2) The State Board of Education shall make a strict accounting of these [funds] monies
             606      and return any unused part to the Uniform School Fund at the close of each fiscal year.
             607          (3) (a) There is established an advisory board for the laboratory school consisting of the
             608      following:
             609          (i) the president of Utah State University or his designee;
             610          (ii) the state superintendent of public instruction or his designee;
             611          (iii) the dean of the College of Education at Utah State University or his designee;
             612          (iv) a local superintendent of schools;
             613          (v) a staff member from the office of the State Board of Education;
             614          (vi) a staff member from a local school board;
             615          (vii) a staff member from the College of Education at Utah State University; and
             616          (viii) two lay citizens noted for their contribution to the improvement of education.


             617          (b) The advisory board members in Subsections (a)(iv) through (viii) are appointed by the
             618      State Board of Education for terms specified by that body.
             619          Section 17. Section 53A-17a-129 is amended to read:
             620           53A-17a-129. State contribution for incentives for excellence.
             621          (1) The state's contribution of $614,911 for the incentives for excellence program for the
             622      fiscal year beginning July 1, [1999] 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for
             623      distribution to school districts according to guidelines established by the board.
             624          (2) A school district shall use its allocation to promote a strong partnership between public
             625      education and private enterprise, to seek additional financial support from the business community,
             626      and to enhance its educational excellence.
             627          (3) School districts are encouraged under this program to develop projects that rely on
             628      matching private and public monies to promote educational excellence.
             629          Section 18. Section 53A-17a-130 is amended to read:
             630           53A-17a-130. State contribution to regional service centers.
             631          The state's contribution of [$1,111,595] $1,172,733 for regional service centers for the
             632      fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution
             633      according to guidelines established by the board.
             634          Section 19. Section 53A-17a-131.1 is amended to read:
             635           53A-17a-131.1. State contribution to the educational technology initiative.
             636          (1) The state's contribution of $8,970,322 for maintaining the educational technology
             637      initiative programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board
             638      of Education for distribution according to [rules adopted by the board consistent with] Title 53A,
             639      Chapter 1, Part 7, Educational Technology Programs.
             640          (2) Monies received under this section may be used to maintain existing programs and for
             641      inservice programs required to implement the technology.
             642          (3) Each school district shall develop a comprehensive inservice plan and report
             643      expenditures for teacher training to the State Office of Education.
             644          Section 20. Section 53A-17a-131.2 is amended to read:
             645           53A-17a-131.2. State contribution to highly impacted schools program.
             646          The state's contribution of $4,873,207 for the Highly Impacted Schools Program for the
             647      fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution


             648      according to the formula adopted by the board under Section 53A-15-701 , which authorizes the
             649      Highly Impacted Schools Program.
             650          Section 21. Section 53A-17a-131.3 is amended to read:
             651           53A-17a-131.3. State contributions to the school nurses program.
             652          The state's contribution of $496,949 for the school nurses program for the fiscal year
             653      beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution according
             654      to guidelines established by the board.
             655          Section 22. Section 53A-17a-131.4 is amended to read:
             656           53A-17a-131.4. State contribution to Alternative Language Services Program.
             657          (1) The state's contribution of [$2,828,564] $3,328,564 for an Alternative Language
             658      Services Program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of
             659      Education as a funding base for school districts to meet the limited-English-proficient and second
             660      language acquisition needs of Utah's language minority student population.
             661          (2) The board shall allocate the appropriation to school districts based on submission of
             662      grant applications and assurances of and compliance with qualifying criteria established by the
             663      state board pursuant to its rulemaking authority.
             664          Section 23. Section 53A-17a-131.6 is amended to read:
             665           53A-17a-131.6. State contribution to Character Education Program.
             666          (1) The state's contribution of $397,680 for a Character Education Program for the fiscal
             667      year beginning July 1, [1999] 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution
             668      to school districts according to rules adopted by the state board.
             669          (2) School districts shall use the appropriation primarily for implementing curriculum
             670      within the classroom that provides for the direct instruction of students.
             671          (3) Character education monies shall also be used to provide inservice training to teachers
             672      on the use and teaching of character education materials and to acquaint teachers with the
             673      requirements in the Utah Constitution and state statutes to teach qualities of character.
             674          (4) Character education programs are to be systematic and comprehensive in their
             675      approach and include student materials, parental involvement, and teacher training.
             676          (5) The principles taught, such as integrity, social responsibility, and the importance of the
             677      work ethic should be designed to help students avoid high risk behaviors and learn to function as
             678      caring, productive citizens in society.


             679          (6) The State Office of Education shall assist districts and teachers in providing and
             680      recommending character education curriculum to students that meets the guidelines referred to in
             681      this section.
             682          (7) Proposals in which parents are involved with educators in all phases of the design,
             683      implementation, and evaluation of school and district programs shall be given highest priority.
             684          Section 24. Section 53A-17a-131.8 is amended to read:
             685           53A-17a-131.8. State contribution to the Comprehensive Guidance Program.
             686          (1) The state's contribution of [$7,033,759] S [ $8,533,759 ] $7,420,659 s for a
             686a      Comprehensive Guidance
             687      Program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education
             688      for distribution to school districts as follows:
             689          (a) the board shall distribute the appropriation to districts to be used at their secondary
             690      schools in grades 7-12, with the following priority:
             691          (i) grades 9-12; and
             692          (ii) grades 7-8 for those schools which meet program standards, to provide a guidance
             693      curriculum and individual educational/occupational program for each student at the school;
             694          (b) each school shall meet qualification criteria established by rules made by the State
             695      Board of Education in order to receive moneys under this program; and
             696          (c) the appropriation shall also be used to provide responsive services and eliminate
             697      nonguidance activities currently being performed by counselors.
             698          (2) (a) It is anticipated that under this program counselors will increase direct services to
             699      students to involve at least 80% of the counselors' time and that districts shall document this with
             700      onsite review teams.
             701          (b) Districts shall provide training to their secondary teachers on their role in assisting in
             702      the development and implementation of SEOPs.
             703          (3) The state superintendent of public instruction shall:
             704          (a) prepare an inventory of working SEOPs for networking with schools throughout the
             705      state; and
             706          (b) monitor the program and provide an annual report on its progress and success.
             707           S [ (4) Included in the $8,533,759 appropriation is an amount of $1,500,000 for
             708      comprehensive guidance programs in elementary schools for distribution to school districts
             709      according to guidelines established by the board.
] s


             710          Section 25. Section 53A-17a-131.9 is amended to read:
             711           53A-17a-131.9. State contribution to agencies coming together for children and
             712      youth at risk.
             713          (1) There is appropriated $1,250,670 to the State Board of Education for the fiscal year
             714      beginning July 1, 2000, to implement Title 63, Chapter 75, Families, Agencies, and Communities
             715      Together for Children and Youth At Risk Act.
             716          (2) Participation in the at risk programs funded under this section shall require consent
             717      from a parent or legal guardian for the participant to receive initial or continuing services under
             718      the program.
             719          (3) A participant's parent or legal guardian shall be actively involved in the program and
             720      all applicable state and federal laws and regulations shall be observed by the entities and
             721      individuals providing the services.
             722          (4) The board shall use the appropriation to experiment on a community full-service
             723      delivery system level to provide data on the merits of moving the concept to a fully implemented
             724      statewide system.
             725          Section 26. Section 53A-17a-131.11 is amended to read:
             726           53A-17a-131.11. State contribution to truancy intervention and prevention.
             727          The state's contribution of $150,000 for the Truancy Intervention and Prevention Program
             728      for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for
             729      distribution to school districts according to guidelines established by the board in accordance with
             730      Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             731          Section 27. Section 53A-17a-131.12 is amended to read:
             732           53A-17a-131.12. State contribution to Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-based
             733      Learning Programs.
             734          The state's contribution of $2,235,000 for the Technology, Life, Careers, and Work-based
             735      Learning Programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board
             736      of Education for distribution to school districts according to guidelines established by the board
             737      in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             738          Section 28. Section 53A-17a-131.13 is enacted to read:
             739          53A-17a-131.13. State contribution to guarantee transportation levy.
             740          The state's contribution of $225,000 to the guarantee transportation levy program for the


             741      fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution
             742      to school districts according to guidelines established by the board in accordance with Title 63,
             743      Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             744          Section 29. Section 53A-17a-131.14 is enacted to read:
             745          53A-17a-131.14. State contribution for reading initiative program.
             746          The state's contribution of $5,000,000 for the reading initiative program for the fiscal year
             747      beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution to school
             748      districts to fund the reading achievement programs established in Section 53A-1-605.5 according
             749      to guidelines established by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             750      Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             751          Section 30. Section 53A-17a-131.15 is enacted to read:
             752          53A-17a-131.15. State contribution for Reading Performance Improvement
             753      Scholarship Program.
             754          The state's contribution of $9,000 for the Reading Performance Improvement Scholarship
             755      Program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education
             756      to fund the program as established in Section 53A-3-402.11 according to guidelines established
             757      by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             758          Section 31. Section 53A-17a-131.16 is enacted to read:
             759          53A-17a-131.16. State contribution for alternative middle schools programs.
             760          The state's contribution of $2,000,000 for an alternative middle schools program for the
             761      fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education to fund the
             762      program as provided in Section 53A-11-909 .
             763          Section 32. Section 53A-17a-131.17 is enacted to read:
             764          53A-17a-131.17. State contribution for a School Land Trust Program.
             765          The state's contribution of $4,775,000 for a School Land Trust Program for the fiscal year
             766      beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for distribution to school
             767      districts according to guidelines established by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             768      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             769          Section 33. Section 53A-17a-131.18 is enacted to read:
             770          53A-17a-131.18. State contribution for assessment and accountability program.
             771          The state's contribution of $3,500,000 for an assessment and accountability program for


             772      the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for
             773      distribution according to guidelines established by the board.
             773a      S Section 34. Section 53A-17a-131.19 is enacted to read:
             773b          53A-17a-131.19. State contribution to school districts.
             773c          THE STATE'S CONTRIBUTION OF $1,113,100 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1,
             773d      2000, IS ALLOCATED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR LOCAL PROGRAMS ON THE BASIS OF EACH
             773e      DISTRICT'S PRIOR YEAR WEIGHTED PUPIL UNITS FOR GRADES K-12 AND NECESSARILY EXISTENT
             773f      SMALL SCHOOLS. s
             774          Section 34. Section 53A-17a-132 is amended to read:
             775           53A-17a-132. Experimental and developmental programs.
             776          (1) The state's contribution of $5,933,056 for experimental and developmental programs
             777      for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, is appropriated to the State Board of Education for
             778      distribution to school districts as follows:
             779          (a) the board shall distribute the first part, 34% of the appropriation, equally among the
             780      state's 40 school districts;
             781          (b) the board shall distribute the second part, 41% of the appropriation, to each district on
             782      the basis of its kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership for the prior year as
             783      compared to the prior year state total kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership;
             784      and
             785          (c) the board shall distribute 25% of the appropriation pursuant to standards established
             786      by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             787          (2) (a) A school district may fund a new experimental or developmental program with
             788      monies appropriated under Subsection (1) for a maximum of three consecutive years.
             789          (b) After the third year, the district shall either fund the program with regular ongoing
             790      program monies or terminate the program.
             791          (3) (a) The State Board of Education shall allocate $100,000 of the
             792      experimental-developmental appropriation for programs to improve the efficiency of classified
             793      employees in the public schools.
             794          (b) The programs should include training components, classified staffing formulas, and
             795      preventative maintenance formulas.
             796          (4) (a) The State Board of Education shall allocate $584,900 of the appropriation for the
             797      planning, development, and implementation of alternative experimental pilot programs, using
             798      [certificated] licensed teachers, which are cooperative ventures that have demonstrated support of
             799      parents, the recognized teachers' organization, administrators, and students.
             800          (b) The State Board of Education shall select schools for the pilot programs by a grant
             801      process using selection criteria developed by the state board.
             802          (5) Models for experimental activities similar to the nine district consortium activities are


             803      permissible under the experimental and developmental appropriation.
             804          Section 35. Section 53A-17a-135 is amended to read:
             805           53A-17a-135. Certified revenue levy.
             806          (1) (a) In order to qualify for receipt of the state contribution toward the basic program and
             807      as its contribution toward its costs of the basic program, each school district shall impose a
             808      minimum basic tax rate per dollar of taxable value that generates [$182,893,646] $189,329,826
             809      in revenues statewide.
             810          (b) The preliminary estimate for the [1999-2000] 2000-01 tax rate is [.001847] .001845.
             811          (c) The State Tax Commission shall certify on or before June 22 the rate that generates
             812      [$182,893,646] $189,329,826 in revenues statewide.
             813          (d) If the minimum basic tax rate exceeds the certified revenue levy as defined in Section
             814      59-2-102 , the state is subject to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-926 .
             815          (e) For the calendar year beginning on January 1, 1998, and ending December 31, 1998,
             816      the certified revenue levy shall be increased by the amount necessary to offset the decrease in
             817      revenues from uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405 as a result of
             818      the decrease in uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405 enacted by the
             819      Legislature during the 1997 Annual General Session.
             820          (f) For the calendar year beginning on January 1, 1999, and ending on December 31, 1999,
             821      the certified revenue levy shall be adjusted by the amount necessary to offset the adjustment in
             822      revenues from uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405.1 as a result of
             823      the adjustment in uniform fees on tangible personal property under Section 59-2-405.1 enacted by
             824      the Legislature during the 1998 Annual General Session.
             825          (2) (a) The state shall contribute to each district toward the cost of the basic program in
             826      the district that portion which exceeds the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1).
             827          (b) In accord with the state strategic plan for public education and to fulfill its
             828      responsibility for the development and implementation of that plan, the Legislature instructs the
             829      State Board of Education, the governor, and the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst in each of the
             830      coming five years to develop budgets that will fully fund student enrollment growth.
             831          (3) (a) If the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) equal or exceed the cost
             832      of the basic program in a school district, no state contribution shall be made to the basic program.
             833          (b) The proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) which exceed the cost of the


             834      basic program shall be paid into the Uniform School Fund as provided by law.
             834a           h Section 36. Section 53A-17a-137 is amended to read:
             834b          53A-17a-137. Classified employees' salaries.
             834c          (1) In view of the fact that instructional salary money is supported by both the value of the
             834d      weighted pupil unit and by a line item appropriation for reform measures, other educational personnel,
             834e      including classified employees, shall be given added consideration in the division of the weighted
             834f      pupil unit.
             834g          (2) Local school boards shall provide higher [salary] COMPENSATION adjustments to
             834h      classified employee groups in comparison to other district employee groups when dividing the
             834i      weighted pupil unit for [salary] COMPENSATION adjustment purposes. h
             835          Section h [ 36 ] 37 h . Section 53A-21-105 is amended to read:
             836           53A-21-105. State contribution to capital outlay programs.
             837          [(1)] The state contribution toward the cost of the programs established under Section
             838      53A-21-102 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, [1999] 2000, shall consist of an appropriation
             839      totaling [$29,358,000] $28,358,000 to the State Board of Education from the Uniform School
             840      Fund.
             841          [(2) Of the amount appropriated under Subsection (1), $1,000,000 is one-time money.]
             841a           S Section h [37] 38 h . Section 53A-25-111, is amended to read:
             841b          53A-25-111. Annual salary adjustments for school employees -- Benefits.
             841c          (1) (a) The board shall adjust the salary schedule applicable to nonadministrative [certificated]
             841d      LICENSED staff at the school each school year.
             841e          (b) The board shall make the adjustment equal to [the] A WEIGHTED average adjustment for
             841f      nonadministrative [certificated] LICENSED staff adopted by the public school districts of the state as
             841g      determined by the State Office of Education. THIS AVERAGE SHALL BE WEIGHTED BY THE NUMBER
             841h      OF TEACHERS IN EACH DISTRICT.
             841i          (c) THE BOARD SHALL INCREASE THIS WEIGHTED AVERAGE BY 10% IN ANY YEAR IN
             841j      WHICH THE UTAH SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND TEACHERS ARE NOT RANKED IN THE
             841k      TOP TEN IN 20 YEAR EARNINGS WHEN COMPARED TO THE 40 SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE STATE.
             841l          (2) (a) The adjustment shall be computed using adjustments made by the school districts by
             841m      December 1 of each year.
             841n          (b) The board shall apply the adjustment to the salary schedule effective July 1 of the
             841o      following year.
             841p          (3) The board shall make salary adjustments for administrative and [noncertificated]
             841q      NONLICENSED staff at the school on the basis of adjustments approved for state government
             841r      employees in similar positions.
             841s          (4) Administrative, [certificated] LICENSED, and [noncertificated] NONLICENSED staff at the
             841t      school shall receive the same benefits as those provided to state government employees . s
             842          Section S [ 37 ] h [38] 39 h s . One-time appropriations.
             843          In addition to the contributions and appropriations set out in Title 53A, Chapter 17a,


             844      Minimum School Program Act, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, there is appropriated
             845      from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education for distribution to school districts
             846      for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, $10, 400,000 in one-time non-lapsing monies as follows:
             847          (1) $6,000,000 for textbooks and school supplies; and
             848          (2) $4,400,000 for teacher supplies and materials as a funding source for H.B. 189,
             849      Classroom Supplies.
             850          Section S [ 38 ] h [39 ] 40 h s . Intent language.


             851          S [ (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that the school districts' boards of education spend
             852      5.5% of their WPU allocations as directed in State Board of Education rules, plus additional
             853      appropriations for textbooks and supplies as appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature,
             854      unless they otherwise notify parents in their respective districts that they have made decisions to
             855      spend the dollars in other areas.
]

             855a          h [ (1) THE LEGISLATURE HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO
             855b      ALLOW EACH TEACHER TO RECEIVE ON AVERAGE AN ANNUAL COMPENSATION INCREASE OF
             855c      $2,000. IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT SCHOOL BOARDS, IN THEIR NEGOTIATIONS
             855d      WITH TEACHERS, MAY DETERMINE TO ALLOW A PORTION OF THESE TEACHER COMPENSATION
             855e      FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED FOR CLASS SIZE REDUCTION, TEXTBOOKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SO
             855f      LONG AS TEACHERS WITH FIVE OR LESS YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM RECEIVE A MINIMUM
             855g      COMPENSATION INCREASE OF AT LEAST $1,500. THE PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES A 4% INCREASE
             855h      IN FUNDS FOR NONTEACHER PERSONNEL AND ASSOCIATED SCHOOL COSTS .
]

             855i           h [(1) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT OF THE FUNDING ALLOCATED BY THE
             855j      INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE WEIGHTED PUPIL UNIT, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS ARE
             855k      ENCOURAGED TO INCREASE TEACHER SALARIES WITH EMPHASIS ON ENHANCING THE
             855l      SALARIES OF BEGINNING TEACHERS. h
]

             855m           (1) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT SCHOOL BOARDS, IN THEIR
             855n      NEGOTIATIONS WITH TEACHERS, MAY DETERMINE TO ALLOW A PORTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE
             855o      APPROPRIATION FOR TEACHER COMPENSATION FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED FOR CLASS SIZE
             855p      REDUCTION, TEXTBOOKS, AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES, SO LONG AS TEACHERS WITH FIVE OR LESS
             855q      YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM RECEIVE ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT COMPENSATION. h s
             856          (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the growth in the Youth in Custody Program for
             857      the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, shall be funded from carryover balances in the Youth in
             858      Custody Program.
             859          (3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state superintendent of public instruction's
             860      annual report contain specific, separate reporting of expenditures for textbooks and supplies by
             861      each school district.
             862           S [ (4) It is the intent of the Legislature that $1,500,000 of the ongoing appropriation for
             863      comprehensive guidance shall be spent in the elementary grades of the state's public education
             864      system.
] s


             865      S [ (5) ] (4) s (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Office of Education work with the
             866      Education Interim Committee and the Education Appropriations Subcommittee during the 2000
             867      interim to study and propose a modified funding formula for the capital outlay foundation program,
             868      which includes an emergency building needs program.
             869          (b) The study shall focus on the issue of more equitably meeting the capital facility needs
             870      of school districts by examining each district's capital outlay tax efforts, its available resources for
             871      capital facilities, which shall take into consideration assessed valuation within the district and
             872      outstanding indebtedness incurred for new school space, and applying those factors to the district's
             873      growth in student population.
             874      S [ (6) ] (5) s (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that prior to distributing funds appropriated under
             875      the restricted basic school programs within the "At-Risk Programs" the State Office of Education
             876      shall retain $200,000 to fund a specialist, associated costs, and program budget, for minority
             877      students, with the assignment to provide technical assistance to schools and school districts toward
             878      meeting the needs of minority students and increasing graduation rates among minority students
             879      and other students at risk of not graduating.
             880          (b) It is the further intent of the Legislature that for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000,
             881      $100,000 of the appropriation be retained before distribution of funds for the purpose of a
             882      collaborative research effort with the Center for the School of the Future at Utah State University
             883      to identify risk factors and successful programs and program characteristics that will improve
             884      graduation rates among students at risk of not graduating.
             885          (c) It is the further intent of the Legislature that the funds retained under Subsections (6)(a)
             886      and (b) shall be proportionately retained from the six program areas funded collectively as
             887      "At-Risk Programs," Youth in Custody, Pregnancy Prevention, Homeless and Minority, At-Risk
             888      Regular Program, MESA, and Gang Prevention.
             889          Section S [ 39 ] h [ 40 ] 41 h s . Repealer.
             890          This act repeals:
             891          Section 53A-17a-124.7, Appropriation for class size reduction in grades 7 & 8.
             892          Section 53A-17a-131.5, State contribution for the Centennial Schools Program.
             893          Section h [ 41 ] 42 h . Effective date.
             894          This act takes effect on July 1, 2000.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-26-00 5:44 PM


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

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]