Bill Text: CT HB06385 | 2011 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Implementing The Budget Recommendations Of The Governor Concerning Education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-01 - Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations [HB06385 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2011-HB06385-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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January Session, 2011 |
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AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GOVERNOR CONCERNING EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 10-217a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 10-281 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 10-71 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to towns, regional boards of education or regional educational service centers in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 4. Section 10-17g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
Annually, the board of education for each local and regional school district that is required to provide a program of bilingual education, pursuant to section 10-17f, may make application to the State Board of Education and shall thereafter receive a grant in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the total appropriation available for such purpose by the ratio which the number of eligible children in the school district bears to the total number of such eligible children state-wide. The board of education for each local and regional school district receiving funds pursuant to this section shall annually, on or before September first, submit to the State Board of Education a progress report which shall include (1) measures of increased educational opportunities for eligible students, including language support services and language transition support services provided to such students, (2) program evaluation and measures of the effectiveness of its bilingual education and English as a second language programs, including data on students in bilingual education programs and students educated exclusively in English as a second language programs, and (3) certification by the board of education submitting the report that any funds received pursuant to this section have been used for the purposes specified. The State Board of Education shall annually evaluate programs conducted pursuant to section 10-17f. For purposes of this section, measures of the effectiveness of bilingual education and English as a second language programs include state-wide mastery examination results and graduation and school dropout rates. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of grants payable to local or regional boards of education under this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 5. Subsection (f) of section 10-66j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of grants payable to regional educational service centers shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 6. Subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "public agency" includes the offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987, and each fiscal year thereafter, whenever a public agency, other than a local or regional board of education, the State Board of Education or the Superior Court acting pursuant to section 10-76h, places a child in a foster home, group home, hospital, state institution, receiving home, custodial institution or any other residential or day treatment facility, and such child requires special education, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such board can be identified, the local or regional board of education of the town where the child is placed, shall provide the requisite special education and related services to such child in accordance with the provisions of this section. Within one business day of such a placement by the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, said department or offices shall orally notify the local or regional board of education responsible for providing special education and related services to such child of such placement. The department or offices shall provide written notification to such board of such placement within two business days of the placement. Such local or regional board of education shall convene a planning and placement team meeting for such child within thirty days of the placement and shall invite a representative of the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe to participate in such meeting. (A) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education and related services in an amount equal to the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. (B) Whenever a child is placed pursuant to this subdivision, on or after July 1, 1995, by the Department of Children and Families and the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school cannot be identified, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child attended school or in whose district the child resided at the time of removal from the home by said department shall be responsible for the reasonable costs of special education and related services provided to such child, for one calendar year or until the child is committed to the state pursuant to section 46b-129 or 46b-140 or is returned to the child's parent or guardian, whichever is earlier. If the child remains in such placement beyond one calendar year the Department of Children and Families shall be responsible for such costs. During the period the local or regional board of education is responsible for the reasonable cost of special education and related services pursuant to this subparagraph, the board shall be responsible for such costs in an amount equal to the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education and related services or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the school districts established within the Department of Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-37, the Department of Correction, pursuant to section 18-99a, or the Department of Developmental Services, pursuant to section 17a-240, provided in any case in which special education is being provided at a private residential institution, including the residential components of regional educational service centers, to a child for whom no local or regional board of education can be found responsible under subsection (b) of this section, Unified School District #2 shall provide the special education and related services and be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education instruction for such children. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, [and June 30, 2011] to June 30, 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subdivision shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision for such year.
(3) Payment for children who require special education and who reside on state-owned or leased property or in permanent family residences as defined in section 17a-154, and who are not the educational responsibility of the unified school districts established pursuant to section 17a-37, section 17a-240 or section 18-99a, shall be made in the following manner: The State Board of Education shall pay to the school district which is responsible for providing instruction for each such child pursuant to the provisions of this subsection one hundred per cent of the reasonable costs of such instruction. In the fiscal year following such payment, the State Board of Education shall deduct from the special education grant due the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school, where such board has been identified, the amount for which such board would otherwise have been financially responsible pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. No such deduction shall be made for any school district which is responsible for providing special education instruction for children whose parents or legal guardians do not reside within such district. The amount deducted shall be included as a net cost of special education by the Department of Education for purposes of the state's special education grant calculated pursuant to section 10-76g, as amended by this act. A school district otherwise eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of this subdivision for the costs of education of a child residing in a permanent family residence shall continue to be so eligible in the event that a person providing foster care in such residence adopts the child. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subdivision shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision for such year.
Sec. 7. Subsection (d) of section 10-76g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, [and June 30, 2011] to June 30, 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section, except grants paid in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, [and June 30, 2011] to June 30, 2013, inclusive, shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 10-253 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(b) The board of education of the school district under whose jurisdiction a child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of education for a child placed out by the Commissioner of Children and Families or by other agencies, including, but not limited to, offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, in a private residential facility when such child requires educational services other than special education services. Such financial responsibility shall be the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with subsection (a) of section 10-76f. Any costs in excess of the boards' basic contribution shall be paid by the State Board of Education on a current basis. The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. Application for the grant to be paid by the state for costs in excess of the local or regional board of education's basic contribution shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, [and June 30, 2011] to June 30, 2013, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subsection shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subsection for such year.
Sec. 9. Subparagraphs (E) and (F) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 10-264l of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(E) Each interdistrict magnet school operated by (i) a regional educational service center, (ii) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (iii) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (iv) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (v) the board of governors for an independent college or university, as defined in section 10a-37, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent college or university, (vi) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (vii) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner that enrolls less than sixty per cent of its students from Hartford pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of (I) nine thousand six hundred ninety-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and (II) ten thousand four hundred forty-three dollars for the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2013, inclusive.
(F) Each interdistrict magnet school operated by the Hartford school district, pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., shall receive a per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district in the amount of (i) twelve thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and (ii) thirteen thousand fifty-four dollars for the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2013, inclusive.
Sec. 10. Subsection (o) of section 10-264l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(o) For the school years commencing July 1, 2009, [and July 1, 2010] to July 1, 2012, inclusive, the Hartford school district shall not charge tuition for any student enrolled in an interdistrict magnet school operated by such school district.
Sec. 11. (Effective July 1, 2011) The RESC Alliance shall study issues relating to the feasibility and implementation of regional school transportation services and a uniform school calendar. Not later than October 15, 2011, the RESC Alliance shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 12. (Effective July 1, 2011) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall develop a plan to integrate child day care services administered by the Department of Social Services offered as part of a school readiness program into the school readiness programs administered by the Department of Education. Such plan shall address program eligibility, slot rates and program requirements. Not later than July 1, 2012, the Commissioner of Education shall submit such plan, with any findings and recommendations, to the Governor.
Sec. 13. Section 10-266aa of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Receiving district" means any school district that accepts students under the program established pursuant to this section;
(2) "Sending district" means any school district that sends students it would otherwise be legally responsible for educating to another school district under the program; and
(3) "Minority students" means students who are "pupils of racial minorities", as defined in section 10-226a.
(b) There is established, within available appropriations, an interdistrict public school attendance program. The purpose of the program shall be to: (1) Improve academic achievement; (2) reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation or preserve racial and ethnic balance; and (3) provide a choice of educational programs. [for students enrolled in the public schools.] The Department of Education shall provide oversight for the program, including the setting of reasonable limits for the transportation of students participating in the program, and may provide for the incremental expansion of the program for the school year commencing in 2000 for each town required to participate in the program pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(c) The program shall be phased in as provided in this subsection. (1) For the school year commencing in 1998, and for each school year thereafter, the program shall be in operation in the Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport regions. The Hartford program shall operate as a continuation of the program described in section 10-266j. Students who reside in Hartford, New Haven or Bridgeport may attend school in another school district in the region and students who reside in such other school districts may attend school in Hartford, New Haven or Bridgeport, provided, beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, the proportion of students who are not minority students to the total number of students leaving Hartford, Bridgeport or New Haven to participate in the program shall not be greater than the proportion of students who were not minority students in the prior school year to the total number of students enrolled in Hartford, Bridgeport or New Haven in the prior school year. The regional educational service center operating the program shall make program participation decisions in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision. (2) For the school year commencing in 2000, and for each school year thereafter, the program shall be in operation in New London, provided beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, the proportion of students who are not minority students to the total number of students leaving New London to participate in the program shall not be greater than the proportion of students who were not minority students in the prior year to the total number of students enrolled in New London in the prior school year. The regional educational service center operating the program shall make program participation decisions in accordance with this subdivision. (3) The Department of Education may provide, within available appropriations, grants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, to the remaining regional educational service centers to assist school districts in planning for a voluntary program of student enrollment in every priority school district, pursuant to section 10-266p, which is interested in participating in accordance with this subdivision. For the school year commencing in 2003, and for each school year thereafter, the voluntary enrollment program may be in operation in every priority school district in the state. Students from other school districts in the area of a priority school district, as determined by the regional educational service center pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, may attend school in the priority school district, provided such students bring racial, ethnic and economic diversity to the priority school district and do not increase the racial, ethnic and economic isolation in the priority school district.
(d) School districts which received students from New London under the program during the 2000-2001 school year shall allow such students to attend school in the district until they graduate from high school. The attendance of such students in such program shall not be supported by grants pursuant to subsections (f) and (g) of this section but shall be supported, in the same amounts as provided for in said subsections, by interdistrict cooperative grants pursuant to section 10-74d to the regional educational service centers operating such programs.
(e) Once the program is in operation in the region served by a regional educational service center pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Department of Education shall provide an annual grant to such regional educational service center to assist school districts in its area in administering the program and to provide staff to assist students participating in the program to make the transition to a new school and to act as a liaison between the parents of such students and the new school district. Each regional educational service center shall determine which school districts in its area are located close enough to a priority school district to make participation in the program feasible in terms of student transportation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, provided any student participating in the program prior to July 1, 1999, shall be allowed to continue to attend the same school such student attended prior to said date in the receiving district until the student completes the highest grade in such school. Each regional educational service center shall convene, annually, a meeting of representatives of such school districts in order for such school districts to report, by March thirty-first, the number of spaces available for the following school year for out-of-district students under the program. Annually, each regional educational service center shall provide a count of such spaces to the Department of Education by April fifteenth. If there are more students who seek to attend school in a receiving district than there are spaces available, the regional educational service center shall assist the school district in determining attendance by the use of a lottery or lotteries designed to preserve or increase racial, ethnic and economic diversity, except that the regional educational service center shall give preference to siblings and to students who would otherwise attend a school that has lost its accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges or has been identified as in need of improvement pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110. The admission policies shall be consistent with section 10-15c and this section. No receiving district shall recruit students under the program for athletic or extracurricular purposes. Each receiving district shall allow out-of-district students it accepts to attend school in the district until they graduate from high school.
(f) [The] Except as provided in section 12 of this act, the Department of Education shall provide grants to regional educational service centers or local or regional boards of education for the reasonable cost of transportation for students participating in the program. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall provide such grants within available appropriations, provided the state-wide average of such grants does not exceed an amount equal to three thousand two hundred fifty dollars for each student transported, except that the Commissioner of Education may grant to regional educational service centers additional sums from funds remaining in the appropriation for such transportation services if needed to offset transportation costs that exceed such maximum amount. The regional educational service centers shall provide reasonable transportation services to high school students who wish to participate in supervised extracurricular activities. For purposes of this section, the number of students transported shall be determined on September first of each fiscal year.
(g) [The] (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the Department of Education shall provide, within available appropriations, an annual grant to the local or regional board of education for each receiving district in an amount not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars for each out-of-district student who attends school in the receiving district under the program.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall provide, within available appropriations, an annual grant to the local or regional board of education for each receiving district that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner, in an amount equal to (A) three thousand dollars for each out-of-district student who attends school in the receiving district under the program if the number of such out-of-district students is less than two per cent of the total student population of such receiving district, (B) four thousand dollars for each out-of-district student who attends school in the receiving district under the program if the number of such out-of-district students is greater than or equal to two per cent but less than three per cent of the total student population of such receiving district, and (C) six thousand dollars for each out-of-district student who attends school in the receiving district under the program if the number of such out-of-district students is greater than or equal to three per cent of the total student population of such receiving district, except the Commissioner of Education may increase the grant amounts to receiving districts under this subdivision if the commissioner determines that doing so would assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al.
(3) Each town which receives funds pursuant to this subsection shall make such funds available to its local or regional board of education in supplement to any other local appropriation, other state or federal grant or other revenue to which the local or regional board of education is entitled.
(h) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, each sending district and each receiving district shall divide the number of children participating in the program who reside in such district or attend school in such district by two for purposes of the counts for subdivision (22) of section 10-262f and subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-261.
(i) In the case of an out-of-district student who requires special education and related services, the sending district shall pay the receiving district an amount equal to the difference between the reasonable cost of providing such special education and related services to such student and the amount received by the receiving district pursuant to subsection (g) of this section and in the case of students participating pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the per pupil amount received pursuant to section 10-74d. The sending district shall be eligible for reimbursement pursuant to section 10-76g, as amended by this act.
(j) Nothing in this section shall prohibit school districts from charging tuition to other school districts that do not have a high school pursuant to section 10-33.
(k) On or before October fifteenth of each year, the Commissioner of Education shall determine if the enrollment in the program pursuant to subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year is below the number of students for which funds were appropriated. If the commissioner determines that the enrollment is below such number, the additional funds shall not lapse but shall be used by the commissioner in accordance with this subsection.
(1) Any amount up to five hundred thousand dollars of such nonlapsing funds shall be used for supplemental grants to receiving districts on a pro rata basis for each out-of-district student in the program pursuant to subsection (c) of this section who attends the same school in the receiving district as at least nine other such out-of-district students, not to exceed one thousand dollars per student.
(2) Any amount equal to or greater than five hundred thousand dollars, and in an amount determined by the commissioner, of such nonlapsing funds shall be used for supplemental grants to receiving districts on a pro rata basis that report to the commissioner on or before March first of the current school year that the number of out-of-district students enrolled in such receiving district is greater than the number of out-of-district students enrolled in such receiving district from the previous school year.
(3) Any remaining nonlapsing funds, in an amount to be determined by the commissioner, shall be used by the commissioner to increase enrollment in the interdistrict public school attendance program described in this section.
[(2)] (4) Any remaining nonlapsing funds shall be used for interdistrict cooperative grants pursuant to section 10-74d.
(l) For purposes of the state-wide mastery examinations under section 10-14n, students participating in the program established pursuant to this section shall be considered residents of the school district in which they attend school.
(m) Within available appropriations, the commissioner may make grants to regional education service centers which provide summer school educational programs approved by the commissioner to students participating in the program.
(n) The Commissioner of Education may provide grants for children in the Hartford program described in this section to participate in preschool and all day kindergarten programs. In addition to the subsidy provided to the receiving district for educational services, such grants may be used for the provision of before and after-school care and remedial services for the preschool and kindergarten students participating in the program.
(o) Within available appropriations, the commissioner may make grants for academic student support for programs pursuant to this section that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner.
Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2011) (a) For purposes of this section, "school choice program" means (1) an interdistrict magnet school operating pursuant to section 10-264l of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (2) the open choice program pursuant to section 10-266aa of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (3) a regional vocational-technical school, (4) a regional agricultural science and technology education center, or (5) an innovational school that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al.
(b) The Department of Education shall provide transportation grants to (1) a local or regional board of education, (2) a regional educational service center, (3) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College, (4) a cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a of the general statutes, (5) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (6) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (7) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (8) the board of governors for an independent college or university, as defined in section 10a-37 of the general statutes, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent college or university, and (9) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner, which transports a child to an eligible out-of-district school choice program to assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner.
(c) The amount of such grant shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of such children transported multiplied by three thousand two hundred fifty dollars.
(d) Grants under this section shall be contingent on documented costs of providing such transportation. Eligible entities identified in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section shall submit applications for grants under this section to the Commissioner of Education in such form and at such times as the commissioner prescribes. Grants pursuant to this section shall be paid as follows: In October one-half of the estimated eligible transportation cost and the balance of such cost in May.
Sec. 15. Section 10-264i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) (1) (A) A local or regional board of education, (B) regional educational service center, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College, or (D) cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a, [or (E) to assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the Commissioner of Education, (i) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (ii) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (iii) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (iv) the board of governors for an independent college or university, as defined in section 10a-37, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent college or university, and (v) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner] which transports a child to an interdistrict magnet school program, as defined in section 10-264l, as amended by this act, in a town other than the town in which the child resides shall be eligible pursuant to section 10-264e to receive a grant for the cost of transporting such child in accordance with this section.
(2) [Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, the] The amount of such grant shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of such children transported multiplied by one thousand three hundred dollars.
[(3) For districts assisting the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner, (i) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, the amount of such grant shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of such children transported multiplied by one thousand four hundred dollars, and (ii) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, the amount of such grant shall not exceed an amount equal to the number of such children transported multiplied by two thousand dollars.
(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2010, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide supplemental transportation grants to regional educational service centers for the purposes of transportation to interdistrict magnet schools. Any such grant shall be provided within available appropriations and after the commissioner has reviewed and approved the total interdistrict magnet school transportation budget for a regional education service center, including all revenue and expenditure estimates. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may provide supplemental transportation grants to the Hartford school district and the Capitol Region Education Council for the purposes of transportation of students who are not residents of Hartford to interdistrict magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council or the Hartford school district.]
[(5)] (3) The Department of Education shall provide such grants within available appropriations. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent a local or regional board of education, regional educational service center or cooperative arrangement from receiving reimbursement under section 10-266m, as amended by this act, for reasonable transportation expenses for which such board, service center or cooperative arrangement is not reimbursed pursuant to this section.
(b) Grants under this section shall be contingent on documented costs of providing such transportation. Eligible entities identified in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section shall submit applications for grants under this section to the Commissioner of Education in such form and at such times as he prescribes. Grants pursuant to this section shall be paid as follows: In October one-half of the estimated eligible transportation costs and the balance of such costs in May.
(c) Each eligible entity identified in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section participating in the grant program shall prepare a financial statement of expenditures which shall be submitted to the Department of Education on or before September first of the fiscal year immediately following each fiscal year in which the school district, regional educational service center or cooperative arrangement participates in the grant program. Based on such statement, any underpayment or overpayment may be calculated and adjusted by the Department of Education in the grant for any subsequent year.
Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 10-266m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) A local or regional board of education providing transportation in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-54, 10-66ee, 10-97, 10-158a, 10-273a, 10-277 and 10-281, as amended by this act, shall be reimbursed for a percentage of such transportation costs as follows:
(1) The percentage of pupil transportation costs reimbursed to a local board of education shall be determined by (A) ranking each town in the state in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine according to such town's adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, as defined in section 10-261; (B) based upon such ranking, and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2-32a, (i) except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, a percentage of zero shall be assigned to towns ranked from one to thirteen and a percentage of not less than zero nor more than sixty shall be determined for the towns ranked from fourteen to one hundred sixty-nine on a continuous scale, except that any such percentage shall be increased by twenty percentage points in accordance with section 10-97, where applicable, and (ii) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, and for each fiscal year thereafter, a percentage of zero shall be assigned to towns ranked from one to seventeen and a percentage of not less than zero nor more than sixty shall be determined for the towns ranked from eighteen to one hundred sixty-nine on a continuous scale.
(2) The percentage of pupil transportation costs reimbursed to a regional board of education shall be determined by its ranking. Such ranking shall be determined by (A) multiplying the total population, as defined in section 10-261, of each town in the district by such town's ranking, as determined in subdivision (1) of this section, (B) adding together the figures determined under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, and (C) dividing the total computed under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision by the total population of all towns in the district. The ranking of each regional board of education shall be rounded to the next higher whole number and each such board shall receive the same reimbursement percentage as would a town with the same rank, provided such percentage shall be increased in the case of a secondary regional school district by an additional five percentage points and, in the case of any other regional school district by an additional ten percentage points.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, and for each fiscal year thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall receive a grant of less than one thousand dollars.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, [2011] 2013, inclusive, the amount of transportation grants payable to local or regional boards of education shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
[(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide grants, within available appropriations, in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars per pupil, to local and regional boards of education and regional educational service centers that transport (A) out-of-district students to technical high schools located in Hartford, or (B) Hartford students attending a technical high school or a regional agricultural science and technology education center outside of the district, to assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner, for the costs associated with such transportation.]
[(6)] (5) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, in addition to the reimbursements and grants payable under subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of this subsection, the Commissioner of Education shall provide a grant when (A) two or more boards of education enter into a cooperative agreement in accordance with section 10-158a to transport students to schools operated by the boards of education during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and (B) such cooperative arrangement results in a savings, as determined by the commissioner, over the transportation costs incurred by the boards of education during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. This grant, which shall be returned to the municipalities in which the participating boards of education are located in accordance with the terms of the written cooperative arrangement, shall be equal to half of the difference in the amount the boards of education would have been reimbursed in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, for pupil transportation costs but for the savings realized in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, pursuant to the cooperative arrangement.
Sec. 17. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study issues relating to (1) the equalization aid grant formula set forth in section 10-262h of the general statutes, (2) state grants to interdistrict magnet schools and regional agricultural science and technology education centers, and (3) funding issues relating to the cost of special education for the state and municipalities.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee;
(2) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education;
(4) Three appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a representative from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, one of whom shall be a representative from the Connecticut Conference of Small Towns and one of whom shall be a person with financial expertise and experience relating to grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive;
(5) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a representative of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut and one of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
(6) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Education Association and one of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials;
(7) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative from the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents;
(8) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who shall be a representative from the Connecticut Association of Schools;
(9) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative from the Connecticut Council of Administrators of Special Education; and
(10) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be a representative from the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators;
(c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(d) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee shall serve as the chairpersons of the task force. The chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(e) The administrative staff of the Department of Education shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(f) Not later than January 15, 2012, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 15, 2012, whichever is later.
Sec. 18. Section 10-262i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1990, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each town shall be paid a grant equal to the amount the town is entitled to receive under the provisions of section 10-262h, as calculated using the data of record as of the December first prior to the fiscal year such grant is to be paid, adjusted for the difference between the final entitlement for the prior fiscal year and the preliminary entitlement for such fiscal year as calculated using the data of record as of the December first prior to the fiscal year when such grant was paid.
(b) The amount due each town pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of each town entitled to such aid in installments during the fiscal year as follows: Twenty-five per cent of the grant in October, twenty-five per cent of the grant in January and the balance of the grant in April. The balance of the grant due towns under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid in March rather than April to any town which has not adopted the uniform fiscal year and which would not otherwise receive such final payment within the fiscal year of such town.
(c) All aid distributed to a town pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be expended for educational purposes only and shall be expended upon the authorization of the local or regional board of education. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, if a town receives an increase in funds pursuant to this section over the amount it received for the prior fiscal year such increase shall not be used to supplant local funding for educational purposes. The budgeted appropriation for education in any town receiving an increase in funds pursuant to this section shall be not less than the amount appropriated for education for the prior year plus such increase in funds.
[(d) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be no less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, minus any reductions made pursuant to section 19 of public act 09-1 of the June 19 special session, except that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, those districts whose number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2009, is lower than such district's number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2008, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in number of resident students for such school years multiplied by three thousand.]
[(e)] (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2009, the budgeted appropriation for education in any town receiving an increase in funds pursuant to this section shall be not less than the amount appropriated for education for the prior year plus the percentage of such increase in funds as determined under subsection (f) of this section.
(e) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be no less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, minus any reductions made pursuant to section 19 of public act 09-1 of the June 19 special session, except that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, those districts with a number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2009, that is lower than such district's number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2008, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in number of resident students for such school years multiplied by three thousand.
(f) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be no less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, plus any reductions made pursuant to section 19 of public act 09-1 of the June 19 special session, except that (1) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, those districts with a number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2011, that is lower than such district's number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2010, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in number of resident students for such school years multiplied by three thousand, and (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, those districts with a number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2012, that is lower than such district's number of resident students for the school year commencing July 1, 2011, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in number of resident students for such school years multiplied by three thousand.
[(f)] (g) (1) Except as provided for in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection, the percentage of the increase in aid pursuant to this section applicable under subsection [(e)] (d) of this section shall be the average of the results of (A) (i) a town's current program expenditures per resident student pursuant to subdivision (36) of section 10-262f, subtracted from the highest current program expenditures per resident student in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between the highest current program expenditures per resident student in this state and the lowest current program expenditures per resident student in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points, (B) (i) a town's wealth pursuant to subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, subtracted from the wealth of the town with the highest wealth of all towns in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between the wealth of the town with the highest wealth of all towns in this state and the wealth of the town with the lowest wealth of all towns in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points, and (C) (i) a town's grant mastery percentage pursuant to subdivision (12) of section 10-262f, subtracted from one, subtracted from one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the highest grant mastery percentage in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the highest grant mastery percentage in this state and one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the lowest grant mastery percentage in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, any town whose school district is in its third year or more of being identified as in need of improvement pursuant to section 10-223e, and has failed to make adequate yearly progress in mathematics or reading at the whole district level, the percentage determined pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection for such town shall be increased by an additional twenty percentage points.
(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, any town whose school district is in its third year or more of being identified as in need of improvement pursuant to section 10-223e, and has failed to make adequate yearly progress in mathematics or reading at the whole district level, the percentage of the increase in aid pursuant to this section applicable under subsection [(e)] (d) of this section shall be the percentage of the increase determined under subdivision (1) of this section for such town, plus twenty percentage points, or eighty per cent, whichever is greater.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, any town that (A) is a member of a regional school district that serves only grades seven to twelve, inclusive, or grades nine to twelve, inclusive, (B) appropriates at least the minimum percentage of increase in aid pursuant to the provisions of this section, and (C) has a reduced assessment from the previous fiscal year for students enrolled in such regional school district, excluding debt service for such students, shall be considered to be in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, charter, special act or home rule ordinance, on or before September 15, 2007, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, a town may request the Commissioner of Education to defer a portion of the town's increase in aid over the prior fiscal year pursuant to this section to be expended in the subsequent fiscal year. If the commissioner approves such request, the deferred amount shall be credited to the increase in aid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, rather than the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Such funds shall be expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, in accordance with the provisions of this section. In no case shall a town be allowed to defer increases in aid required to be spent for education as a result of failure to make adequate yearly progress in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection.
[(g)] (h) Upon a determination by the State Board of Education that a town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district failed in any fiscal year to meet the requirements pursuant to subsection (c), (d), [or] (e) or (f) of this section, the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall forfeit an amount equal to two times the amount of the shortfall. The amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grant payable to the town in the second fiscal year immediately following such failure by deducting such amount from the town's equalization aid grant payment pursuant to this section, except that in the case of a kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district, the amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grants payable pursuant to this section to the towns which are members of such regional school district. The amounts deducted from such grants to each member town shall be proportional to the number of resident students in each member town. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Education may waive such forfeiture upon agreement with the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district that the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall increase its budgeted appropriation for education during the fiscal year in which the forfeiture would occur by an amount not less than the amount of said forfeiture or for other good cause shown. Any additional funds budgeted pursuant to such an agreement shall not be included in a district's budgeted appropriation for education for the purpose of establishing any future minimum budget requirement.
Sec. 19. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to study the finance, management and enrollment structure of the regional vocational-technical school system. Such study shall (1) conduct a cost-benefit analysis of (A) maintaining and strengthening the existing regional vocational-technical school system operated by the State Board of Education, (B) developing stronger articulation agreements between the regional vocational-technical school system and the regional community-technical colleges, (C) transferring the regional vocational-technical school system to local and regional boards of education or regional educational service centers, and (D) maintaining or transferring adult programs offered at the regional vocational-technical schools, (2) consider the effects of maintaining the existing regional vocational-technical school system or transferring the regional vocational-technical school system to local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers or the regional community-technical colleges on facilities, equipment and personnel management of the regional vocational-technical school system, and (3) compare and analyze the findings of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee;
(2) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) The chancellor of the community-technical college system, or the chancellor's designee;
(5) The chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education;
(6) One appointed by the Governor who shall be a representative from a regional workforce investment board;
(7) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Education Association and one of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association;
(8) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a representative of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut and one of whom shall be a person with experience in manufacturing or a trade offered at the regional vocational-technical schools or be alumni of or have served as an educator at a regional vocational-technical school;
(9) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who shall be a representative of the RESC Alliance;
(10) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials;
(11) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education; and
(12) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.
(c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(d) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the task force from among the members of the task force. The chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
(e) The administrative staff of the Department of Education shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(f) Not later than January 15, 2012, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 15, 2012, whichever is later.
Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2011) (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Crandall school program" means a program offered at a public school that (A) has a specialized curriculum or theme, such as art, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, history, government, English, world languages or preschool or full-day kindergarten, and (B) is designed to promote participation in the open choice program pursuant to section 10-266aa of the general statutes, as amended by this act;
(2) "Sending district" means any school district that sends students it would otherwise be legally responsible for educating to a school district that offers a Crandall school program and in which such students are enrolled in such program; and
(3) "Minority students" means students who are "pupils of racial minorities", as defined in section 10-226a of the general statutes.
(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, the Department of Education shall, within available appropriations, establish a Crandall school program. A Crandall school program shall be available to any local or regional board of education that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al.
(c) Any local or regional board of education seeking to participate in the Crandall school program shall submit an application for a grant for such program to the Commissioner of Education at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes. In determining whether to award a grant pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to, (1) whether the Crandall school program offered by the local or regional board of education reduces racial isolation, (2) whether the educational program offered through the Crandall school program is likely to increase student achievement, (3) whether the educational program offered through the Crandall school program is unique and will not adversely impact enrollment at existing interdistrict magnet schools, regional vocational-technical schools and regional agricultural science and technology education centers in the region, and (4) the proposed operating budget and funding sources for the innovation school.
(d) Each local or regional board of education participating in the Crandall school program shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant as follows: (1) Four thousand dollars for each student who is a resident of Hartford and is enrolled in a Crandall school program offered by a local or regional board of education for a school district other than the Hartford school district, provided at least twenty-five per cent of the students enrolled in such Crandall school program are students who are residents of Hartford, and (2) four thousand dollars for each student enrolled in a Crandall school program offered by the Hartford school district who is not a resident of such district, provided the number of minority students enrolled in such Crandall school program is not greater than seventy-five per cent.
(e) The commissioner may, within available appropriations, provide annual operating grants to local or regional boards of education offering Crandall school programs in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the purposes of enhancing the educational specialized curriculum or theme offered by such program.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 172 of the general statutes, each sending district and each district offering a Crandall school program shall divide the number of children participating in such program who reside in such district or attend school in such district by two for purposes of the counts for subdivision (22) of section 10-262f of the general statutes and subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-261 of the general statutes.
(g) In the case of an out-of-district student enrolled in a Crandall school program who requires special education and related services, the sending district shall pay the district offering a Crandall school program an amount equal to the difference between the reasonable cost of providing such special education and related services to such student and the amount received by the receiving district pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The sending district shall be eligible for reimbursement pursuant to section 10-76g of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
(h) The department shall provide grants to local or regional boards of education offering a Crandall school program for the reasonable cost of transportation for students participating in such program. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department shall provide such grants within available appropriations, provided the state-wide average of such grants does not exceed an amount equal to three thousand two hundred fifty dollars for each student transported. For purposes of this section, the number of students transported shall be determined on September first of each fiscal year.
(i) In accordance with the provisions of subsection (l) of this section, for purposes of the state-wide mastery examinations under section 10-14n of the general statutes, students enrolled in a Crandall school program established pursuant to this section shall be considered residents of the school district in which they attend school.
(j) Within available appropriations, the commissioner may make grants to local or regional boards of education offering Crandall school programs which provide summer school educational programs approved by the commissioner to students participating in such program.
(k) The commissioner may provide grants for children in a Crandall school program offered by the Hartford school district to participate in preschool and full-day kindergarten programs. In addition to the subsidy provided to the district for educational services, such grants may be used for the provision of before and after-school care and remedial services for the preschool and full-day kindergarten students participating in such program.
(l) Each local or regional board of education offering a Crandall school program pursuant to this section shall allow out-of-district students enrolled in such program to attend school in the district in which such program is offered until such out-of-district students graduate from high school, pursuant to section 10-266aa of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
Sec. 21. Section 10-283 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) (1) Each town or regional school district shall be eligible to apply for and accept grants for a school building project as provided in this chapter. Any town desiring a grant for a public school building project may, by vote of its legislative body, authorize the board of education of such town to apply to the Commissioner of Education and to accept or reject such grant for the town. Any regional school board may vote to authorize the supervising agent of the regional school district to apply to the Commissioner of Education for and to accept or reject such grant for the district. Applications for such grants under this chapter shall be made by the superintendent of schools of such town or regional school district on the form provided and in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. The application form shall require the superintendent of schools to affirm that the school district considered the maximization of natural light and the use and feasibility of wireless connectivity technology in projects for new construction and alteration or renovation of a school building. Grant applications for school building projects shall be reviewed by the Commissioner of Education on the basis of categories for building projects and standards for school construction established by the State Board of Education in accordance with this section, provided grant applications submitted for purposes of subsection (a) of section 10-65 or section 10-76e shall be reviewed annually by the commissioner on the basis of the educational needs of the applicant. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College and the following entities that will operate an interdistrict magnet school that will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner, may apply for and shall be eligible to receive grants for school building projects pursuant to section 10-264h, as amended by this act, for such a school: (A) The Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (B) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (C) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (D) the board of governors for an independent college or university, as defined in section 10a-37, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent college or university, (D) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (E) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner.
(2) Each school building project shall be assigned to a category on the basis of whether such project is primarily required to: (A) Create new facilities or alter existing facilities to provide for mandatory instructional programs pursuant to this chapter, for physical education facilities in compliance with Title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1972 where such programs or such compliance cannot be provided within existing facilities or for the correction of code violations which cannot be reasonably addressed within existing program space; (B) create new facilities or alter existing facilities to enhance mandatory instructional programs pursuant to this chapter or provide comparable facilities among schools to all students at the same grade level or levels within the school district unless such project is otherwise explicitly included in another category pursuant to this section; and (C) create new facilities or alter existing facilities to provide supportive services, provided in no event shall such supportive services include swimming pools, auditoriums, outdoor athletic facilities, tennis courts, elementary school playgrounds, site improvement or garages or storage, parking or general recreation areas. All applications submitted prior to July first shall be reviewed promptly by the commissioner and the amount of the grant for which such project is eligible shall be estimated, provided an application for a school building project determined by the commissioner to be a project that will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., shall have until September first to submit an application for such a project and may have until December first of the same year to secure and report all local and state approvals required to complete the grant application. The commissioner shall annually prepare a listing of all such eligible school building projects listed by category together with the amount of the estimated grants therefor and shall submit the same to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before the fifteenth day of December, except as provided in section 10-283a, as amended by this act, with a request for authorization to enter into grant commitments. Each such listing submitted after December, 1995 shall include a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by the commissioner. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, no such project that has changed in scope or cost to the degree determined by the commissioner shall be eligible for reimbursement under this chapter unless it appears on such list. Each such listing submitted after December, 2005 shall include a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by the commissioner once, and a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by the commissioner twice. [On and after] Each such listing submitted after December, 2010 shall include a report on the review conducted by the commissioner of the enrollment projections for each such eligible project. For the period beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2012, no project, other than a project for a regional vocational-technical school, may appear on the separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in cost more than twice. On and after July 1, 2012, no project may appear on the separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in cost more than once, except the commissioner may allow a project to appear on such separate schedule of authorized projects a second time if the town or regional school district for such project can demonstrate that exigent circumstances requires such project to appear a second time on such separate schedule of authorized projects. The percentage determined pursuant to section 10-285a, as amended by this act, at the time a school building project on such schedule was originally authorized shall be used for purposes of the grant for such project. On and after July 1, 2006, a project that was not previously authorized as an interdistrict magnet school shall not receive a higher percentage for reimbursement than that determined pursuant to section 10-285a, as amended by this act, at the time a school building project on such schedule was originally authorized. The General Assembly shall annually authorize the commissioner to enter into grant commitments on behalf of the state in accordance with the commissioner's categorized listing for such projects as the General Assembly shall determine. The commissioner may not enter into any such grant commitments except pursuant to such legislative authorization. Any regional school district which assumes the responsibility for completion of a public school building project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to subdivision (5) or (6), as the case may be, of subsection (a) of section 10-286, as amended by this act, when such project is completed and accepted by such regional school district.
(3) (A) All final calculations completed by the Department of Education for school building projects authorized on or after July 1, 1996, shall include a computation of the state grant for the school building project amortized on a straight line basis over a twenty-year period for school building projects with costs equal to or greater than two million dollars and over a ten-year period for school building projects with costs less than two million dollars. Any town or regional school district which abandons, sells, leases, demolishes or otherwise redirects the use of such a school building project to other than a public school use during such amortization period shall refund to the state the unamortized balance of the state grant remaining as of the date the abandonment, sale, lease, demolition or redirection occurs. The amortization period for a project shall begin on the date the project was accepted as complete by the local or regional board of education. A town or regional school district required to make a refund to the state pursuant to this subdivision may request forgiveness of such refund if the building is redirected for public use. The department shall include as an addendum to the annual school construction priority list all those towns requesting forgiveness. General Assembly approval of the priority list containing such request shall constitute approval of such request. This subdivision shall not apply to projects to correct safety, health and other code violations or to remedy certified school indoor air quality emergencies approved pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or projects subject to the provisions of section 10-285c.
(B) Any moneys refunded to the state pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be deposited in the state's tax-exempt proceeds fund and used not later than sixty days after repayment to pay debt service on, including redemption, defeasance or purchase of, outstanding bonds of the state the interest on which is not included in gross income pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding the application date requirements of this section, the Commissioner of Education may approve applications for grants to assist school building projects to remedy damage from fire and catastrophe, to correct safety, health and other code violations, to replace roofs, to remedy a certified school indoor air quality emergency, or, subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, to purchase and install portable classroom buildings at any time within the limit of available grant authorization and make payments thereon within the limit of appropriated funds, provided portable classroom building projects shall not create a new facility or cause an existing facility to be modified so that the portable buildings comprise a substantial percentage of the total facility area, as determined by the commissioner.
(2) The grants to purchase and install portable classroom buildings pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-285a, as amended by this act.
(c) No school building project shall be added to the list prepared by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to subsection (a) of this section after such list is submitted to the committee of the General Assembly appointed pursuant to section 10-283a, as amended by this act, unless (1) the project is for a school placed on probation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the project is necessary to preserve accreditation, (2) the project is necessary to replace a school building for which a state agency issued a written notice of its intent to take the school property for public purpose, (3) [for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, the project is in a town operating under state governance, or (4)] it is a school building project determined by the commissioner to be a project that will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to projects previously authorized by the General Assembly that require special legislation to correct procedural deficiencies.
(d) No application for a school building project shall be accepted by the commissioner on or after July 1, 2002, unless the applicant has secured funding authorization for the local share of the project costs prior to application. The reimbursement percentage for a project covered by this subsection shall reflect the rates in effect during the fiscal year in which such local funding authorization is secured.
[(e) For each such list submitted in December, 2003, and December, 2004, the total amount requested by the commissioner for grant commitments shall not exceed one billion dollars. In each such list, the commissioner shall list the categories described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section in order of priority and shall list the projects within each category in order of priority. The commissioner shall comply with the limitation on grant commitments provided for under this subsection according to such priorities. Eligible projects that cannot be included on the list shall be included first on the list submitted the next following year.]
Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 10-284 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) The Commissioner of Education shall have authority to receive, review and approve applications for state grants under this chapter, or to disapprove any such application if (1) it does not comply with the requirements of the State Fire Marshal or the Department of Public Health, (2) it is not accompanied by a life-cycle cost analysis approved by the Commissioner of Public Works pursuant to section 16a-38, (3) it does not comply with the provisions of sections 10-290d and 10-291, (4) it does not meet the standards, requirements or school building priorities established by the State Board of Education, [or] (5) the estimated construction cost exceeds the per square foot cost for schools established by the Commissioner of Education for the county in which the project is proposed to be located, or (6) the commissioner determines that the proposed educational specifications for or theme of the project for which the applicant requests a state grant duplicates a program offered by a vocational-technical school or an interdistrict magnet school in the same region.
Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 10-285a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) The percentage of school building project grant money a local board of education may be eligible to receive, under the provisions of section 10-286, as amended by this act, shall be determined as follows: (1) Each town shall be ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine according to such town's adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, as defined in section 10-261; (2) based upon such ranking, a percentage of not less than forty nor more than eighty shall be determined for each town on a continuous scale, except that (A) for school building projects authorized by the General Assembly during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, for all such projects so authorized thereafter and for grants approved pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-283, as amended by this act, for which application is made on and after July 1, 1991, the percentage of school building project grant money a local board of education may be eligible to receive, under the provisions of section 10-286, as amended by this act, shall be determined as follows: [(A)] (i) Each town shall be ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine according to such town's adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, as defined in section 10-261; [(B)] (ii) based upon such ranking, a percentage of not less than twenty nor more than eighty shall be determined for each town on a continuous scale, and (B) for grants approved pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-283, as amended by this act, for which application is made on and after July 1, 2011, the percentage of school building project grant money a local board of education may be eligible to receive, under the provisions of section 10-286, as amended by this act, shall be determined as follows: (i) Each town shall be ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine according to such town's adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, as defined in section 10-261; and (ii) based upon such ranking, a percentage of not less than ten nor more than seventy shall be determined for new construction or replacement of a school building for each town on a continuous scale and a percentage of not less than twenty nor more than eighty shall be determined for renovations, extensions, code violations, roof replacements and major alterations of an existing school building and the new construction or replacement of a school building when a town or regional school district can demonstrate that a new construction or replacement is less expensive than a renovation, extension or major alteration of an existing school building for each town on a continuous scale.
Sec. 24. Section 10-286 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) The amount of the grant approved by the Commissioner of Education under the provisions of this chapter for any completed school building project shall be computed as follows:
(1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984, and each fiscal year thereafter, in the case of a new school plant, an extension of an existing school building or projects involving the major alteration of any existing building to be used for school purposes, the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the result of multiplying together the number representing the highest projected enrollment, based on data acceptable to the Commissioner of Education, for such building during the eight-year period from the date a local or regional board of education files a notification of a proposed school building project with the Department of Education, the number of gross square feet per pupil determined by the Commissioner of Education to be adequate for the kind of educational program or programs intended, and the eligible cost of such project, divided by the gross square feet of such building, or the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the eligible cost of such project, whichever is less, provided, (A) any such project on which construction was started prior to July 1, 1975, shall be reimbursed under the formula in effect prior to said date, (B) any such project on which construction or payments under this chapter were started after June 30, 1975, but prior to July 31, 1983, shall be reimbursed based upon the data, submitted for each such project and accepted by the Department of Education during said period, representing the number of pupils the plant was designed to accommodate, (C) any project for which final grant calculation has been made after June 30, 1975, but prior to July 31, 1983, shall be reimbursed based upon such final calculation, and (D) any such project for which estimated grant payments were begun prior to July 31, 1983, shall be reimbursed based upon the calculation formula used in making such estimated grant payments;
(2) In case of projects involving the purchase of an existing building to be used for school purposes, the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the eligible cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education, provided any project for which an application is made on or after July 1, 1995, involving the purchase and renovation of an existing facility, may be exempt from the standard space specifications, and otherwise ineligible repairs and replacements may be considered eligible for reimbursement as part of such a project, if information is provided acceptable to the commissioner documenting the need for such work and the cost savings to the state and the school district of such purchase and renovation project in comparison to alternative construction options;
(3) If any school building project described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection includes the construction, extension or major alteration of outdoor athletic facilities, tennis courts or a natatorium, gymnasium or auditorium, the grant for the construction of such outdoor athletic facilities, tennis courts and natatorium shall be limited to one-half of the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of the net eligible cost of construction thereof; the grant for the construction of an area of spectator seating in a gymnasium shall be one-half of the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of the net eligible cost of construction thereof; and the grant for the construction of the seating area in an auditorium shall be limited to one-half of the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of the net eligible cost of construction of the portion of such area that seats one-half of the projected enrollment of the building, as defined in subdivision (1) of this subsection, which it serves;
(4) In the case of a regional agricultural science and technology education center or the purchase of equipment pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-65 or a regional special education facility pursuant to section 10-76e, an amount equal to the eligible cost of such project, as determined by the Commissioner of Education;
(5) In the case of a public school administrative or service facility, one-half of the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection of the eligible project cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education, or in the case of a regional educational service center administrative or service facility, the eligible percentage, as determined pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-285a, of the eligible project cost as determined by the commissioner;
(6) In the case of the total replacement of a roof or the total replacement of a portion of a roof which has existed for at least twenty years, or in the case of the total replacement of a roof or the total replacement of a portion of a roof which has existed for fewer than twenty years when it is determined by a registered architect or registered engineer that such roof was improperly designed or improperly constructed and the town is prohibited from recovery of damages or has no other recourse at law or in equity, the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, of the eligible cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education. In the case of the total replacement of a roof or the total replacement of a portion of a roof which has existed for fewer than twenty years (A) when it is determined by a registered architect or registered engineer that such roof was improperly designed or improperly constructed and the town has recourse at law or in equity and recovers less than such eligible cost, the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection of the difference between such recovery and such eligible cost, and (B) when the roof is at least fifteen years old but less than twenty years old and it cannot be determined by a registered architect or registered engineer that such roof was improperly designed or improperly constructed, the eligible percentage for subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection of the eligible project costs provided such costs are multiplied by the ratio of the age of the roof to twenty years. For purposes of this subparagraph, the age of the roof shall be determined in whole years to the nearest year based on the time between the completed installation of the old roof and the date of the grant application for the school construction project for the new roof;
(7) On and after July 1, 2011, in the case of a project for the purchase or replacement of a heating, ventilation or air conditioning system that would provide greater energy efficiency or reduce heating fuel costs for such town or district, at a percentage of not less than twenty nor more than eighty of the eligible cost of such project;
[(7)] (8) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984, and for each fiscal year thereafter, in the case of projects to correct code violations, the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the eligible cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education;
[(8)] (9) In the case of a renovation project for which an application is made on or after July 1, 1995, the eligible percentage as determined in subsection (b) of section 10-285a, multiplied by the eligible costs as determined by the commissioner, provided the project may be exempt from the standard space specifications, and otherwise ineligible repairs and replacements may be considered eligible for reimbursement as part of such a project, if information is provided acceptable to the commissioner documenting the need for such work and the cost savings to the state and the school district of such renovation project in comparison to alternative construction options;
[(9)] (10) In the case of projects approved to remedy certified school indoor air quality emergencies, the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the eligible cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education;
[(10)] (11) In the case of a project involving a turn-key purchase for a facility to be used for school purposes, the eligible percentage, as determined in section 10-285a, as amended by this act, of the net eligible cost as determined by the Commissioner of Education, except that for any project involving such a purchase for which an application is made on or after July 1, 2006, (A) final plans for all construction work included in the turn-key purchase agreement shall be approved by the Commissioner of Education in accordance with section 10-292, and (B) such project may be exempt from the standard space specifications, and otherwise ineligible repairs and replacements may be considered eligible for reimbursement as part of such project, if information acceptable to the commissioner documents the need for such work and that such a purchase will cost less than constructing the facility in a different manner and will result in a facility taking on a useful life comparable to that of a new facility.
(b) (1) In the case of all grants computed under this section for a project which constitutes a replacement, extension or major alteration of a damaged or destroyed facility, no grant may be paid if a local or regional board of education has failed to insure its facilities and capital equipment in accordance with the provisions of section 10-220. The amount of financial loss due to any damage or destruction to any such facility, as determined by ascertaining the replacement value of such damage or destruction, shall be deducted from project cost estimates prior to computation of the grant.
(2) In the case of any grants computed under this section for a school building project authorized pursuant to section 10-283, as amended by this act, after July 1, 1979, any federal funds or other state funds received for such school building project shall be deducted from project costs prior to computation of the grant.
(3) The limitation on grants for new outdoor athletic facilities, tennis courts, natatorium, gymnasium and auditorium shall not apply to school building projects for which applications for review of preliminary plans and specifications on Form 2A were submitted prior to October 1, 1975, in the case of towns and prior to October 15, 1975, in the case of regional school districts.
(4) Commencing with the school construction projects authorized by the General Assembly during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1985, and for all such projects so authorized thereafter, the calculation of grants pursuant to this section shall be made in accordance with the state standard space specifications in effect at the time of the final grant calculation, except that on and after July 1, 2005, in the case of a school district with an enrollment of less than one hundred fifty students in grades kindergarten to grade eight, inclusive, state standard space specifications shall not apply in the calculation of grants pursuant to this section and the Commissioner of Education may modify the standard space specifications for a project in such district.
(c) In the computation of grants pursuant to this section for any school building project authorized by the General Assembly pursuant to section 10-283, as amended by this act, (1) after January 1, 1993, any maximum square footage per pupil limit established pursuant to this chapter or any regulation adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to this chapter shall be increased by twenty-five per cent for a building constructed prior to 1950; (2) after January 1, 2004, any maximum square footage per pupil limit established pursuant to this chapter or any regulation adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to this chapter shall be increased by up to one per cent to accommodate a heating, ventilation or air conditioning system, if needed; (3) for the period from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2009, inclusive, for projects with total authorized project costs greater than ten million dollars, if total construction change orders or other change directives otherwise eligible for grant assistance under this chapter exceed five per cent of the authorized total project cost, only fifty per cent of the amount of such change order or other change directives in excess of five per cent shall be eligible for grant assistance; and (4) after July 1, 2009, for projects with total authorized project costs greater than ten million dollars, if total construction change orders or other change directives otherwise eligible for grant assistance exceed five per cent of the total authorized project cost, such change order or other change directives in excess of five per cent shall be ineligible for grant assistance.
(d) For any school building project receiving state grant assistance under this chapter, all change orders or other change directives issued for such project on or after July 1, 2008, shall be submitted, not later than six months after the date of such issuance, to the Commissioner of Education, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Only change orders or other change directives submitted to the commissioner in accordance with this subsection shall be eligible for state grant assistance.
Sec. 25. Subsection (a) of section 10-264h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
(a) [(1)] For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, until the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, a local or regional board of education, regional educational service center or a cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a for purposes of an interdistrict magnet school may be eligible for reimbursement up to the full reasonable cost of any capital expenditure for the purchase, construction, extension, replacement, leasing or major alteration of interdistrict magnet school facilities, including any expenditure for the purchase of equipment, in accordance with this section. [(A)] For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, [and each fiscal year thereafter, such entities, and (B) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter,] until the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, the following entities that operate an interdistrict magnet school that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner: [(i)] (1) The Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, [(ii)] (2) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, [(iii)] (3) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, [(iv)] (4) the board of governors for an independent college or university, as defined in section 10a-37, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent college or university, and [(v)] (5) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner may be eligible for reimbursement up to ninety-five per cent of such cost. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, a project eligible for reimbursement under this section may be eligible for reimbursement up to eighty per cent of the eligible cost of such project. To be eligible for reimbursement under this section a magnet school construction project shall meet the requirements for a school building project established in chapter 173, except that the Commissioner of Education may waive any requirement in such chapter for good cause. On and after July 1, 1997, the commissioner shall approve only applications for reimbursement under this section that he finds will reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation. On and after July 1, 2009, applications for reimbursement under this section for the construction of new interdistrict magnet schools shall not be accepted until the commissioner develops a comprehensive state-wide interdistrict magnet school plan, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-264l, unless the commissioner determines that such construction will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al.
[(2) (A) Not later than July 1, 2007, the Commissioner of Education and the president of the Connecticut Science Center, Inc. shall enter into a memorandum of understanding establishing the parameters within which the center shall operate as and be given the status of a state-wide magnet science learning center. Upon achieving such status, the Connecticut Science Center, Inc. shall be eligible to apply for, in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, a grant of reimbursement of ninety-five per cent of any expenditures for the construction, replacement, alteration or repair of its facilities, including the reasonable and necessary costs for major exhibits. The Connecticut Science Center, Inc. may fund its five per cent share of expenditures from private contributions.
(B) To be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to this subdivision, the Connecticut Science Center, Inc. shall file an application with the Commissioner of Education in such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes. Construction projects at the magnet science learning center shall meet the requirements of chapter 173, except that the commissioner may waive any requirements in such chapter for good cause.]
Sec. 26. Section 10-283a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2011):
A committee to review the listing of eligible school building projects submitted pursuant to section 10-283, as amended by this act, shall be appointed annually on or before July first consisting of eight persons who are members of the General Assembly at the time of their appointment as follows: Two persons each appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the president pro tempore of the Senate and the minority leader of the Senate. The listing of eligible projects by category shall be submitted to said committee prior to December fifteenth annually to determine if said listing is in compliance with the categories described in subsection (a) of section 10-283, as amended by this act, and existing standards established by the State Board of Education pursuant to said regulations. The listing of eligible projects shall include comments and recommendations from the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for each eligible project on the list. The committee may modify the listing. [if it finds that the Commissioner of Education acted in an arbitrary or unreasonable manner in establishing the listing.] Such modified listing shall be in compliance with said standards and categories. Prior to February first annually, the committee shall submit the approved or modified listing of projects to the Governor and the General Assembly.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-217a(i) |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-281(b) |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-71(d) |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-17g |
Sec. 5 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-66j(f) |
Sec. 6 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-76d(e)(2) and (3) |
Sec. 7 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-76g(d) |
Sec. 8 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-253(b) |
Sec. 9 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-264l(c)(3)(E) and (F) |
Sec. 10 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-264l(o) |
Sec. 11 |
July 1, 2011 |
New section |
Sec. 12 |
July 1, 2011 |
New section |
Sec. 13 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-266aa |
Sec. 14 |
July 1, 2011 |
New section |
Sec. 15 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-264i |
Sec. 16 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-266m(a) |
Sec. 17 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 18 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-262i |
Sec. 19 |
from passage |
New section |
Sec. 20 |
July 1, 2011 |
New section |
Sec. 21 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-283 |
Sec. 22 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-284(a) |
Sec. 23 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-285a(a) |
Sec. 24 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-286 |
Sec. 25 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-264h(a) |
Sec. 26 |
July 1, 2011 |
10-283a |
ED |
Joint Favorable Subst. C/R |
APP |