SENATE FILE 451

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 247)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the allowable uses for modified allowable growth for programs for returning dropouts and dropout prevention.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 257.41, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   257.41  Funding for programs for returning dropouts and dropout prevention.

   1.  Budget.  The budget of an approved program for returning dropouts and dropout prevention for a school district, after subtracting funds received from other sources for that purpose, shall be funded annually on a basis of one-fourth or more from the district cost of the school district and up to three-fourths by an increase in allowable growth as defined in section 257.8. Annually, the department of management shall establish a modified allowable growth for each such school district equal to the difference between the approved budget for the program for returning dropouts and dropout prevention for that district and the sum of the amount funded from the district cost of the school district plus funds received from other sources.
   2.  Appropriate uses of funding.  Appropriate uses of the returning dropout and dropout prevention program funding include but are not limited to the following:
   a.  Salary and benefits for teachers, nurses, para-educators, and guidance counselors working with students participating in the dropout prevention programs, alternative programs, and alternative schools if the teacher, nurse, para-educator, or guidance counselor is dedicated to working with returning dropouts or students who are deemed, at anytime during the school year, to be at risk of dropping out, to provide services beyond those provided by the school district to students who are not identified as at risk of becoming dropouts. However, if the teacher, nurse, para-educator, or guidance counselor is a part-time returning dropout and dropout prevention teacher, nurse, para-educator, or guidance counselor and a part-time regular classroom teacher or counselor, only the portion of time that is related to the returning dropout and dropout prevention program may be charged to the program.
   b.  Professional development for all teachers and staff working with at-risk students and programs involving dropout prevention strategies.
   c.  Research-based resources, materials, software, supplies, and purchased services that meet all of the following criteria:
   (1)  Meet the needs of kindergarten through grade twelve students identified as at risk of dropping out and of returning dropouts.
   (2)  Are beyond those provided by the regular school program.
   (3)  Are necessary to provide the services listed in the school district’s dropout prevention plan.
   (4)  Will remain with the kindergarten through grade twelve returning dropout and dropout prevention program.
EXPLANATION
   This bill specifies the appropriate uses of the returning dropout and dropout prevention program funding for school districts.
   Appropriate uses of funding as specified by the bill include salary and benefits for teachers, nurses, para-educators, and guidance counselors when those persons are dedicated to working with returning dropouts or students who are deemed, at anytime during the school year, to be at risk of dropping out, to provide services beyond those provided by the school district to students generally; professional development for all teachers and staff working with at-risk students and programs involving dropout prevention strategies; and research-based resources, materials, software, supplies, and purchased services that meet criteria specified in the bill.