Download Zipped Enrolled WordPerfect SB0003.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 3 Enrolled

                 

MINIMUM SCHOOL PROGRAM ACT

                 
AMENDMENTS

                 
2004 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson

                 
                  LONG TITLE
                  General Description:
                      This bill provides funding for the Minimum School Program.
                  Highlighted Provisions:
                      This bill:
                      .    establishes a ceiling for the state contribution to the maintenance and operations
                  portion of the Minimum School Program for fiscal year 2004-05 of $1,698,739,911;
                      .    establishes the value of the weighted pupil unit at $2,182;
                      .    appropriates $27,288,900 to the State Board of Education for fiscal year 2004-05
                  for school building aid programs for school districts;
                      .    makes one-time appropriations to the State Board of Education for fiscal year
                  2003-04 for distribution to charter schools and the Electronic High School;     
                      .    modifies the state guarantee under the voted leeway and board leeway programs;     
                      .    requires that a portion of per pupil funding for charter schools shall be used for
                  funding school facilities;
                      .    specifies the number of foreign exchange students that may be included in a school
                  district's or charter school's membership and attendance count for the purpose of
                  apportioning state monies;
                      .    transfers the responsibility for approving exchange student agencies from the State
                  Board of Education to local school boards and charter school governing boards;
                      .    directs the State Board of Education to make rules providing for fees for adult
                  education; and
                      .    requires the State Board of Education to use a portion of nonlapsing balances for


                  certain purposes.
                  Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
                      This bill appropriates from the Uniform School Fund:
                      .    $1,726,028,811 for fiscal year 2004-05; and
                      .    $891,000 for fiscal year 2003-04.
                  Other Special Clauses:
                      This bill provides an effective date.
                  Utah Code Sections Affected:
                  AMENDS:
                      53A-1a-513, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-2-206, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-15-401, as enacted by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 1988
                      53A-15-403, as enacted by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 1988
                      53A-17a-103, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-104, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-131.17, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-133, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-134, as last amended by Chapters 335 and 336, Laws of Utah 2001
                      53A-17a-135, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-148, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-17a-149, as enacted by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-21-105, as last amended by Chapter 320, Laws of Utah 2003
                  Uncodified Material Affected:
                  ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
                 
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 53A-1a-513 is amended to read:
                       53A-1a-513. Funding for charter schools.

- 2 -


                      (1) (a) Charter schools shall receive funding as described in this section, except
                  Subsections (2) through (7) do not apply to charter schools described in Subsection (1)(b).
                      (b) Charter schools sponsored by local school boards that are converted from district
                  schools or operate in district facilities without paying reasonable rent shall receive funding as
                  prescribed in Section 53A-1a-515 .
                      (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), a charter school shall receive state funds,
                  as applicable, on the same basis as a school district receives funds.
                      (b) In distributing funds under Title 53A, Chapter 17a, Minimum School Program Act, to
                  charter schools, charter school pupils shall be weighted, where applicable, as follows:
                      (i) .55 for kindergarten pupils;
                      (ii) .9 for pupils in grades 1-6;
                      (iii) .99 for pupils in grades 7-8; and
                      (iv) 1.2 for pupils in grades 9-12.
                      (c) The State Board of Education shall make rules in accordance with Title 63, Chapter
                  46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer Subsection (2)(b), including hold
                  harmless provisions to maintain a charter elementary school's funding level for a period of two
                  years after the effective date of the distribution formula.
                      (d) Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to funds appropriated to charter schools to replace
                  local property tax revenues.
                      (3) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to provide for the distribution of
                  monies to charter schools under this section.
                      (4) (a) The Legislature shall provide an appropriation for charter schools for each of their
                  students to replace some of the local property tax revenues that are not available to charter
                  schools. The amount of money provided for each charter school student shall be determined by:
                      [(a)] (i) calculating the sum of:
                      [(i)] (A) school districts' operations and maintenance revenues derived from local
                  property taxes, except revenues from imposing a minimum basic tax rate pursuant to Section
                  53A-17a-135 ;

- 3 -


                      [(ii)] (B) school districts' capital projects revenues derived from local property taxes; and
                      [(iii)] (C) school districts' expenditures for interest on debt; and
                      [(b)] (ii) dividing the sum by the total average daily membership of the districts' schools.
                      (b) Of the monies provided to a charter school under Subsection (4)(a), 10% shall be
                  expended for funding school facilities only.
                      (5) Charter schools are eligible to receive federal funds if they meet all applicable federal
                  requirements and comply with relevant federal regulations.
                      (6) The State Board of Education shall distribute funds for charter school students
                  directly to the charter school.
                      (7) (a) Notwithstanding Subsection (2), a charter school is not eligible to receive state
                  transportation funding.
                      (b) The board shall also adopt rules relating to the transportation of students to and from
                  charter schools, taking into account Sections 53A-2-210 and 53A-17a-127 .
                      (c) The governing body of the charter school may provide transportation through an
                  agreement or contract with the local school board, a private provider, or with parents.
                      (8) (a) (i) The state superintendent of public instruction may allocate grants for both
                  start-up and ongoing costs to eligible charter school applicants from monies appropriated for the
                  implementation of this part.
                      (ii) Applications for the grants shall be filed on a form determined by the state
                  superintendent and in conjunction with the application for a charter.
                      (iii) The amount of a grant may vary based upon the size, scope, and special
                  circumstances of the charter school.
                      (iv) The governing board of the charter school shall use the grant to meet the expenses of
                  the school as established in the school's charter.
                      (b) The State Board of Education shall coordinate the distribution of federal monies
                  appropriated to help fund costs for establishing and maintaining charter schools within the state.
                      (9) (a) A charter school may receive, hold, manage and use any devise, bequest, grant,
                  endowment, gift, or donation of any property made to the school for any of the purposes of this

- 4 -


                  part.
                      (b) It is unlawful for any person affiliated with a charter school to demand or request any
                  gift, donation, or contribution from a parent, teacher, employee, or other person affiliated with the
                  charter school as a condition for employment or enrollment at the school or continued attendance
                  at the school.
                      (10) The State Office of Education shall use up to $1,044,000 of funding provided for
                  new growth to fund additional growth needs in charter schools in fiscal year 2005.
                      Section 2. Section 53A-2-206 is amended to read:
                       53A-2-206. Exchange and interstate compact students -- Inclusion in attendance
                  count -- Annual report -- Requirements for exchange student agencies.
                      (1) A school district or charter school may include the following students in the district's
                  or school's membership and attendance [of students] count for the purpose of apportionment of
                  state monies [if]:
                      (a) [(i) the student is] a foreign exchange student sponsored by an agency approved by
                  the [State Board of Education; and] district's local school board or charter school's governing
                  board, subject to the limitation of Subsection (2);
                      [(ii) the agency sponsoring the foreign exchange student is also sponsoring a resident
                  student of the district who is enrolled in a school in a foreign country;]
                      (b) [the] a student [is] enrolled under an interstate compact, established between the State
                  Board of Education and the state education authority of another state, under which a student from
                  one compact state would be permitted to enroll in a public school in the other compact state on
                  the same basis as a resident student of the receiving state; or
                      (c) [the] a student [is] receiving services under the Compact on Placement of Children.
                      (2) The number of foreign exchange students that may be counted for the purpose of
                  apportioning state monies shall be the lesser of:
                      (a) the number of foreign exchange students:
                      (i) enrolled in the school district or charter school; and
                      (ii) sponsored by an exchange student agency approved by the district's local school board

- 5 -


                  or charter school's governing board; or
                      (b) the number of students that have withdrawn from the school district or charter school
                  to participate in a foreign exchange program in a foreign country.
                      (3) A school district or charter school may:
                      (a) enroll foreign exchange students that do not qualify for state monies; and
                      (b) pay for the costs of those students with other funds available to the school district or
                  charter school.
                      (4) Due to the benefits to all students of having the opportunity to become familiar with
                  individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, school districts are encouraged to enroll
                  foreign exchange students, as provided in Subsection (3), particularly in schools with declining or
                  stable enrollments where the incremental cost of enrolling the foreign exchange student may be
                  minimal.
                      [(2)] (5) The board shall make an annual report to the Legislature on the number of
                  exchange students and the number of interstate compact students sent to or received from public
                  schools outside the state.
                      [(3)] (6) (a) [The] A local school board or charter school governing board shall require
                  each approved exchange student agency to provide it with a sworn affidavit of compliance prior
                  to the beginning of each school year.
                      (b) The affidavit shall include the following assurances:
                      (i) that the agency has complied with all applicable [rules] policies of the board;
                      (ii) that a household study, including a background check of all adult residents, has been
                  made of each household where an exchange student is to reside, and that the study was of
                  sufficient scope to provide reasonable assurance that the exchange student will receive proper
                  care and supervision in a safe environment;
                      (iii) that host parents have received training appropriate to their positions, including
                  information about enhanced criminal penalties under Subsection 76-5-406 (10) for persons who
                  are in a position of special trust;
                      (iv) that a representative of the exchange student agency shall visit each student's place of

- 6 -


                  residence at least once each month during the student's stay in Utah;
                      (v) that the agency will cooperate with school and other public authorities to ensure that
                  no exchange student becomes an unreasonable burden upon the public schools or other public
                  agencies;
                      (vi) that each exchange student will be given in the exchange student's native language
                  names and telephone numbers of agency representatives and others who could be called at any
                  time if a serious problem occurs; and
                      (vii) that alternate placements are readily available so that no student is required to remain
                  in a household if conditions appear to exist which unreasonably endanger the student's welfare.
                      [(4)] (7) (a) [The] A local school board or charter school governing board shall provide
                  each approved exchange student agency with a list of names and telephone numbers of individuals
                  not associated with the agency who could be called by an exchange student in the event of a
                  serious problem.
                      (b) The agency shall make a copy of the list available to each of its exchange students in
                  the exchange student's native language.
                      Section 3. Section 53A-15-401 is amended to read:
                       53A-15-401. State Board of Education to supervise.
                      (1) The general control and supervision, but not the direct management, of adult
                  education is vested in the State Board of Education.
                      (2) The board has the following powers:
                      (a) makes and enforces rules to organize, conduct, and supervise adult education;
                      (b) appoints state staff for the adult education program, establishes their duties, and fixes
                  their compensation;
                      (c) determines the qualifications of, and issues teaching certificates to, persons employed
                  to give adult education instruction; and
                      (d) determines the basis of apportionment and distributes funds made available for adult
                  education.
                      (3) (a) The State Board of Education shall make rules providing for the establishment of

- 7 -


                  fees which shall be imposed by local school boards for participation in adult education programs.
                      (b) A fee structure for adult education shall take into account the ability of a Utah
                  resident who participates in adult education to pay the fees.
                      (c) Sections 53A-12-103 and 53A-12-104 pertaining to fees and fee waivers in secondary
                  schools do not apply to adult education.
                      Section 4. Section 53A-15-403 is amended to read:
                       53A-15-403. Local school boards' authority to direct adult education programs.
                      A local school board may do the following:
                      (1) establish and maintain classes for adult education, with classes being held at times and
                  places convenient and accessible to the members of the class;
                      (2) raise and appropriate funds for an adult education program;
                      (3) subject to [Section] Sections 53A-12-101 and 53A-15-401 , determine fees for
                  participation in an adult education program; and
                      (4) hire persons to instruct adult education classes.
                      Section 5. Section 53A-17a-103 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-103. Definitions.
                      As used in this chapter:
                      (1) "Basic state-supported school program" or "basic program" means public education
                  programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school students that are operated and
                  maintained for the amount derived by multiplying the number of weighted pupil units for each
                  district by [$2,150] $2,182, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
                      (2) "Certified revenue levy" means a property tax levy that provides an amount of ad
                  valorem property tax revenue equal to the sum of:
                      (a) the amount of property tax revenue to be generated statewide in the previous year
                  from imposing a minimum basic tax rate, as specified in Subsection 53A-17a-135 (1)(a); and
                      (b) the product of:
                      (i) new growth, as defined in Section 59-2-924 and rules of the State Tax Commission;
                  and

- 8 -


                      (ii) the minimum basic tax rate certified by the State Tax Commission for the previous
                  year.
                      (3) "Leeway program" or "leeway" means a state-supported voted leeway program or
                  board leeway program authorized under Section 53A-17a-133 or 53A-17a-134 .
                      (4) "Pupil in average daily membership (ADM)" means a full-day equivalent pupil.
                      (5) (a) "State-supported minimum school program" or "minimum school program" means
                  public school programs for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools as described in this
                  Subsection (5).
                      (b) The minimum school program established in the districts shall include the equivalent
                  of a school term of nine months as determined by the State Board of Education.
                      (c) (i) The board shall establish the number of days or equivalent instructional hours that
                  school is held for an academic school year.
                      (ii) Education, enhanced by utilization of technologically enriched delivery systems, when
                  approved by local school boards, shall receive full support by the State Board of Education as it
                  pertains to fulfilling the attendance requirements, excluding time spent viewing commercial
                  advertising.
                      (d) The program includes the total of the following annual costs:
                      (i) the cost of a basic state-supported school program; and
                      (ii) other amounts appropriated in this chapter in addition to the basic program.
                      (6) "Weighted pupil unit or units or WPU or WPUs" means the unit of measure of factors
                  that is computed in accordance with this chapter for the purpose of determining the costs of a
                  program on a uniform basis for each district.
                      Section 6. Section 53A-17a-104 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-104. Amount of state's contribution toward minimum school program.
                      (1) The total contribution of the state toward the cost of the minimum school program
                  may not exceed the sum of [$1,611,343,274] $1,698,739,911 for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
                  [2003] 2004, except as otherwise provided by the Legislature through supplemental
                  appropriations.

- 9 -


                      (2) [There] As on ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, there is
                  appropriated from the Uniform School Fund for fiscal year 2004-05 to the State Board of
                  Education for distribution to school districts and charter schools, in accordance with this chapter,
                  monies for the following purposes and in the following amounts:
                      (a) basic program - kindergarten, [$43,930,950 (20,433 WPUs)] $49,053,542 (22,481
                  WPUs);
                      (b) basic program - grades 1-12, [$930,195,350 (432,649 WPUs)] $956,377,146
                  (438,303 WPUs);
                      (c) basic program - professional staff, [$89,328,200 (41,548 WPUs)] $93,420,148
                  (42,814 WPUs);
                      (d) basic program - administrative costs, [$3,558,250 (1,655 WPUs)] $3,626,484 (1,662
                  WPUs);
                      (e) basic program - necessarily existent small schools and units for consolidated schools,
                  [$16,193,800 (7,532 WPUs)] $16,729,394 (7,667 WPUs);
                      (f) special education - regular program - add-on WPUs for students with disabilities,
                  [$115,001,350 (53,489 WPUs)] $117,590,162 (53,891 WPUs);
                      (g) preschool special education program, [$13,478,350 (6,269 WPUs)] $14,540,848
                  (6,664 WPUs);
                      (h) self-contained regular WPUs, [$26,696,550 (12,417 WPUs)] $27,447,378 (12,579
                  WPUs);
                      (i) extended year program for severely disabled, [$690,150 (321 WPUs)] $765,882 (351
                  WPUs);
                      (j) special education programs in state institutions and district impact aid, [$2,919,700
                  (1,358 WPUs)] $3,006,796 (1,378 WPUs);
                      (k) applied technology and technical education district programs, [$50,198,200 (23,348
                  WPUs)] $51,709,036 (23,698 WPUs), including [$915,861] $943,426 for summer applied
                  technology agriculture programs;
                      (l) applied technology district set-aside, [$2,139,250 (995 WPUs)] $2,203,820 (1,010

- 10 -


                  WPUs);
                      (m) class size reduction, [$63,977,550 (29,757 WPUs)] $65,902,946 (30,203 WPUs);
                      (n) Social Security and retirement programs, [$232,739,964] $261,482,231;
                      (o) pupil transportation to and from school, [$56,245,567] $57,061,128, of which not
                  less than [$1,952,878] $1,981,195 shall be allocated to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind
                  to pay for transportation costs of the schools' students;
                      (p) guarantee transportation levy, $500,000;
                      (q) Local Discretionary Block Grant Program, $21,824,448;
                      (r) Interventions for Student Success Block Grant Program, [$15,308,708, of which
                  $400,000 shall be used for special intervention summer programs] $14,908,708;
                      (s) Quality Teaching Block Grant Program, $57,426,623;
                      [(t) math and science - beginning teacher recruitment, $600,000;]
                      [(u)] (t) highly impacted schools, $5,123,207;
                      [(v)] (u) at-risk programs, $24,778,484;
                      [(w)] (v) adult education, $5,826,865;
                      [(x)] (w) accelerated learning programs, $8,695,104;
                      [(y)] (x) electronic high school, [$400,000] $700,000;
                      [(z)] (y) School LAND Trust Program, [$10,050,000] $8,820,000;
                      [(aa)] (z) state-supported voted leeway, [$149,234,487] $159,084,242;
                      [(bb)] (aa) state-supported board leeway, [$43,367,832] $45,357,016; and
                      [(cc)] (bb) charter schools, pursuant to Section 53A-1a-513 , [$2,377,172] $5,002,450.
                      Section 7. Section 53A-17a-131.17 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-131.17. State contribution for School LAND Trust Program.
                      [(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), there is appropriated $10,050,000 to the
                  State Board of Education as the state's contribution for the School LAND Trust Program for the
                  fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003.]
                      [(b)] (1) If the amount of money in the Uniform School Fund described in Subsection
                  53A-16-101.5( 2) is less than or greater than [$10,050,000] the money appropriated in Section

- 11 -


                  53A-17a-104 for the School LAND Trust Program, the appropriation shall be equal to the
                  amount of money in the Uniform School Fund described in Subsection 53A-16-101.5 (2), up to a
                  maximum of $12,000,000.
                      (2) The State Board of Education shall distribute the money appropriated in Subsection
                  (1) in accordance with Section 53A-16-101.5 and rules established by the board in accordance
                  with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
                      Section 8. Section 53A-17a-133 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-133. State-supported voted leeway program authorized -- Election
                  requirements -- State guarantee -- Reconsideration of the program.
                      (1) An election to consider adoption or modification of a voted leeway program is
                  required if initiative petitions signed by 10% of the number of electors who voted at the last
                  preceding general election are presented to the local school board or by action of the board.
                      (2) (a) (i) To establish a voted leeway program, a majority of the electors of a district
                  voting at an election in the manner set forth in Section 53A-16-110 must vote in favor of a special
                  tax.
                      (ii) The tax rate may not exceed .002 per dollar of taxable value.
                      (b) The district may maintain a school program which exceeds the cost of the program
                  referred to in Section 53A-17a-145 with this voted leeway.
                      (c) In order to receive state support the first year, a district must receive voter approval
                  no later than December 1 of the year prior to implementation.
                      (3) (a) Under the voted leeway program, the state shall contribute an amount sufficient to
                  guarantee [$17.14] $17.54 per weighted pupil unit for each .0001 of the first .0016 per dollar of
                  taxable value.
                      (b) The same dollar amount guarantee per weighted pupil unit for the .0016 per dollar of
                  taxable value under Subsection (3)(a) shall apply to the board-approved leeway authorized in
                  Section 53A-17a-134 , so that the guarantee shall apply up to a total of .002 per dollar of taxable
                  value if a school district levies a tax rate under both programs.
                      (c) (i) Beginning July 1, [2004] 2005, the [$17.14] $17.54 guarantee under Subsections

- 12 -


                  (3)(a) and (b) shall be indexed each year to the value of the weighted pupil unit by making the
                  value of the guarantee equal to .008544 times the value of the prior year's weighted pupil unit.
                      (ii) The guarantee shall increase by .0005 times the value of the prior year's weighted
                  pupil unit for each succeeding year until the guarantee is equal to .010544 times the value of the
                  prior year's weighted pupil unit.
                      (d) (i) The amount of state guarantee money to which a school district would otherwise
                  be entitled to under this Subsection (3) may not be reduced for the sole reason that the district's
                  levy is reduced as a consequence of changes in the certified tax rate under Section 59-2-924
                  pursuant to changes in property valuation.
                      (ii) Subsection (3)(d)(i) applies for a period of two years following any such change in the
                  certified tax rate.
                      (4) (a) An election to modify an existing voted leeway program is not a reconsideration of
                  the existing program unless the proposition submitted to the electors expressly so states.
                      (b) A majority vote opposing a modification does not deprive the district of authority to
                  continue an existing program.
                      (c) If adoption of a leeway program is contingent upon an offset reducing other local
                  school board levies, the board must allow the electors, in an election, to consider modifying or
                  discontinuing the program prior to a subsequent increase in other levies that would increase the
                  total local school board levy.
                      (d) Nothing contained in this section terminates, without an election, the authority of a
                  school district to continue an existing voted leeway program previously authorized by the voters.
                      Section 9. Section 53A-17a-134 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-134. Board-approved leeway -- Purpose -- State support -- Disapproval.
                      (1) Each local school board may levy a tax rate of up to .0004 per dollar of taxable value
                  to maintain a school program above the cost of the basic school program as follows:
                      (a) a local school board shall use the monies generated by the tax for class size reduction
                  within the school district;
                      (b) if a local school board determines that the average class size in the school district is

- 13 -


                  not excessive, it may use the monies for other school purposes but only if the board has declared
                  the use for other school purposes in a public meeting prior to levying the tax rate; and
                      (c) a district may not use the monies for other school purposes under Subsection (1)(b)
                  until it has certified in writing that its class size needs are already being met and has identified the
                  other school purposes for which the monies will be used to the State Board of Education and the
                  state board has approved their use for other school purposes.
                      (2) (a) The state shall contribute an amount sufficient to guarantee [$17.14] $17.54 per
                  weighted pupil unit for each .0001 per dollar of taxable value.
                      (b) The guarantee shall increase in the same manner as provided for the voted leeway
                  guarantee in Subsections 53A-17a-133 (3)(c)(i) and (ii).
                      (3) The levy authorized under this section is not in addition to the maximum rate of .002
                  authorized in Section 53A-17a-133 , but is a board-authorized component of the total tax rate
                  under that section.
                      (4) As an exception to Section 53A-17a-133 , the board-authorized levy does not require
                  voter approval, but the board may require voter approval if requested by a majority of the board.
                      (5) An election to consider disapproval of the board-authorized levy is required, if within
                  60 days after the levy is established by the board, referendum petitions signed by the number of
                  legal voters required in Section 20A-7-301 , who reside within the school district, are filed with
                  the school district.
                      (6) (a) A local school board shall establish its board-approved levy by April 1 to have the
                  levy apply to the fiscal year beginning July 1 in that same calendar year except that if an election is
                  required under this section, the levy applies to the fiscal year beginning July 1 of the next calendar
                  year.
                      (b) The approval and disapproval votes authorized in Subsections (4) and (5) shall occur
                  at a general election in even-numbered years, except that a vote required under this section in
                  odd-numbered years shall occur at a special election held on a day in odd-numbered years that
                  corresponds to the general election date. The school district shall pay for the cost of a special
                  election.

- 14 -


                      (7) (a) Modification or termination of a voter-approved leeway rate authorized under this
                  section is governed by Section 53A-17a-133 .
                      (b) A board-authorized leeway rate may be modified or terminated by a majority vote of
                  the board subject to disapproval procedures specified in this section.
                      (8) A board levy election does not require publication of a voter information pamphlet.
                      Section 10. Section 53A-17a-135 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-135. Minimum basic tax rate -- Certified revenue levy.
                      (1) (a) In order to qualify for receipt of the state contribution toward the basic program
                  and as its contribution toward its costs of the basic program, each school district shall impose a
                  minimum basic tax rate per dollar of taxable value that generates [$212,110,681] $217,590,703 in
                  revenues statewide.
                      (b) The preliminary estimate for the [2003-04] 2004-05 minimum basic tax rate is
                  [.001743] .001754.
                      (c) The State Tax Commission shall certify on or before June 22 the rate that generates
                  [$212,110,681] $217,590,703 in revenues statewide.
                      (d) If the minimum basic tax rate exceeds the certified revenue levy as defined in Section
                  53A-17a-103 , the state is subject to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-926 .
                      (2) (a) The state shall contribute to each district toward the cost of the basic program in
                  the district that portion which exceeds the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1).
                      (b) In accord with the state strategic plan for public education and to fulfill its
                  responsibility for the development and implementation of that plan, the Legislature instructs the
                  State Board of Education, the governor, and the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst in each of the
                  coming five years to develop budgets that will fully fund student enrollment growth.
                      (3) (a) If the proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) equal or exceed the
                  cost of the basic program in a school district, no state contribution shall be made to the basic
                  program.
                      (b) The proceeds of the levy authorized under Subsection (1) which exceed the cost of
                  the basic program shall be paid into the Uniform School Fund as provided by law.

- 15 -


                      Section 11. Section 53A-17a-148 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-148. Use of nonlapsing balances.
                      (1) For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, [2003] 2004, the State Board of Education
                  may use up to $300,000 of nonlapsing balances for the following:
                      (a) to stabilize the value of the weighted pupil unit;
                      (b) to maintain program levels in school districts that may experience unanticipated and
                  unforeseen losses of students;
                      (c) to equalize programs in school districts where a strict application of the law provides
                  inequity;
                      (d) to pay the added cost when students attend school out of state; and
                      [(e) to assist in the operation of the laboratory school at Utah State University, through
                  the allocation of monies for a career ladder program at the school; and]
                      [(f)] (e) other uses approved by the board.
                      (2) For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, [2003] 2004, the State Board of Education
                  may use up to [$2,500,000] $1,000,000 of uncommitted nonlapsing balances for adult high school
                  completion and adult basic skill programs.
                      (3) For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2004, the State Board of Education shall use
                  Minimum School Program nonlapsing balances to supplement the appropriation to charter schools
                  for the replacement of local property tax revenues, up to the amount allowed under their formula
                  detailed in Subsection 53A-1a-513 (4).
                      Section 12. Section 53A-17a-149 is amended to read:
                       53A-17a-149. Funds for classroom supplies.
                      (1) If the interest and dividends deposited in the Uniform School Fund from the
                  investment of monies in the Permanent State School Fund are sufficient to provide the maximum
                  amount of funds to the School LAND Trust Program as provided in Section 53A-16-101.5 , the
                  balance of the interest and dividends, up to a maximum of $10,000,000, shall be appropriated by
                  the Legislature for teachers' classroom supplies.
                      (2) (a) Money appropriated for classroom supplies pursuant to Subsection (1) shall be

- 16 -


                  distributed to classroom teachers in school districts, the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, the
                  Edith Bowen Laboratory School, and charter schools on the basis of the number of classroom
                  teachers in each school as compared to the total number of classroom teachers.
                      (b) Each teacher in grades kindergarten through six shall receive up to $225 and each
                  teacher in grades seven through 12 shall receive up to $175 from the appropriation.
                      (c) Teachers shall spend the money for school supplies, materials, or field trips under
                  rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
                      (d) As used in this section, "classroom teacher" or "teacher" means permanent teacher
                  positions filled by one teacher or two or more job-sharing teachers:
                      (i) who are licensed personnel;
                      (ii) who are paid on the teacher's salary schedule;
                      (iii) who are hired for an entire contract period; and
                      (iv) whose primary function is to provide instructional or a combination of instructional
                  and counseling services to students in public schools.
                      Section 13. Section 53A-21-105 is amended to read:
                       53A-21-105. State contribution to capital outlay programs.
                      (1) [The state contribution toward the cost of the programs established under Section
                  53A-21-102 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, shall consist of an appropriation totaling
                  $27,228,900 to the State Board of Education] As an ongoing appropriation subject to future
                  budget constraints, there is appropriated from the Uniform School Fund for fiscal year 2004-05,
                  $27,288,900 to the State Board of Education for the capital outlay programs created in Section
                  53A-21-102 .
                      (2) Of the monies appropriated in Subsection (1), the State Board of Education shall
                  distribute:
                      (a) $24,358,000 in accordance with the Capital Outlay Foundation Program described in
                  Section 53A-21-103 ; and
                      (b) $2,930,900 in accordance with the Enrollment Growth Program described in Section
                  53A-21-103.5 .

- 17 -


                      Section 14. Appropriation to University of Utah Reading Clinic.
                      As an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
                  from the Uniform School Fund for fiscal year 2004-05, $375,000 to the University of Utah for the
                  University of Utah Reading Clinic.
                      Section 15. One-time appropriation for fiscal year 2004-05.
                      (1) There is appropriated from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education,
                  for fiscal year 2004-05 only:
                      (a) $5,500,000 for classroom supplies and materials to be distributed to, and expended
                  by, teachers in accordance with Subsection 53A-17a-149 (2);
                      (b) $1,600,000 for adult education; and
                      (c) $17,200,400 for a bonus for employees of school districts and charter schools.
                      (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the appropriation under Subsection (1)(c) shall:
                      (a) fund a 1% cost-of-living allowance for employees of school districts and charter
                  schools effective June 19, 2004; and
                      (b) be distributed as a one-time bonus in December 2004 to each school district and
                  charter school employee, calculated on an FTE equivalent basis.
                      Section 16. One-time appropriation for fiscal year 2003-04.
                      (1) There is appropriated from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education,
                  for fiscal year 2003-04 only:
                      (a) $716,000 to be distributed to charter schools for the replacement of local property tax
                  revenues pursuant to Section 53A-1a-513 ; and
                      (b) $175,000 for the Electronic High School.
                      (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the funds appropriated in fiscal year 2003-04 to
                  the Electronic High School be nonlapsing. These funds shall be used to fund growth needs in the
                  current school year and fund anticipated growth in the 2004-05 school year.
                      Section 17. Legislative intent.
                      It is the intent of the Legislature:
                      (1) to recognize the additional cost of training and or testing related to being recognized

- 18 -


                  as a "Highly Qualified Teacher" and encourage the state and local school districts to give
                  consideration to funding through the Quality Teaching Block Grant the additional out of pocket
                  expense that current certified teachers will be asked to bear a high priority; and
                      (2) that $2,500,000 for the Performance Plus Reading Initiative is one-time for fiscal year
                  2004-05, with the understanding that the Legislature will consider ongoing funding in subsequent
                  years.
                      Section 18. Effective date.
                      This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004, except that uncodified Section 16, One-time
                  appropriation for fiscal year 2003-04 takes effect on May 4, 2004.

- 19 -


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]