OAR 581-023-0009: Small High School Grants

(1) For purposes of this rule, "small school district" and "small high school" are as defined in Chapter 670, Oregon Laws 2001. (2) For fiscal years 2001–02 and 2002–03, the department shall award a base grant to each small school district with one or more small high schools that is equal to $200 per ADM in grades 9–12 of each small high school in the small school district. The Department of Education will distribute the grants no later than October 15 in each of the two fiscal years. (3) For fiscal years 2001–02 and 2002–03, the department may annually award a needs grant to each small school district with one or more small high schools based on the financial needs of the district as described in Chapter 670, Oregon Laws 2001. (4) Small school districts with small high schools may apply for a portion of the approximately $1 million to be distributed as needs grants each year. (5) Grant applications must be received at the Department of Education no later than July 16, 2001 for a 2001–02 fiscal year grant and by January 15, 2002 for a 2002–03 fiscal year grant. (6) The Department of Education will distribute the grants no later than October 15 in each of the two fiscal years. Any moneys remaining after awarding base grants and needs grants shall be divided per ADM among all small school districts with small high schools and added to the amount of each small school district’s base grant. Any necessary adjustments will be made on May 15 of the fiscal year, with final adjustment to be made in the following year. (7) The Department of Education will convene a task force, including, but not limited to Department and school district staff, to advise the department on the equitable distribution of funds. (8) The task force will assign equal weight to the following three criteria for determining the financial needs of the district: (a) The number of ADM in the small school district with smaller high schools receiving a greater preference; (b) Whether ADMw in the small school district has declined in the past three years and the degree to which the enrollment is declining; (c) The ratio of licensed staff to students in the small school district in the previous two years, adjusted to reflect the need for lower staffing ratios in smaller high schools. (9) In addition, the task force will consider the following criteria in determining the distribution of funds: (a) The fund balance and percentage of funds available to the small school district at the end of the fiscal year according to the district’s most recent audit. Districts with significant fund balances as compared to annual expenditures may receive lower preference; districts with fund balances greater than 40% of annual expenditures will not be considered; (b) The resources projected to be available to the small school district from an education service district for the fiscal year. Districts with ESD support greater than $1,000 per ADMw will receive a lower preference; (c) Extraordinary circumstances affecting a district’s capacity to provide instructional services; and (d) The task force will give preference to requests for funding for high school instructional programs. (10) The State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall resolve any issues arising from the administration of the small high schools grants not specifically addressed by this rule and the Superintendent’s determination shall be final. (11) This rule will be repealed on June 30, 2003.