15-1371. Equalization assistance for state educational system for committed youth; state education fund for committed youth

A. The superintendent of the state educational system for committed youth shall calculate a base support level as prescribed in section 15-943 and district additional assistance as prescribed in section 15-961 for the educational system established pursuant to section 41-2831, except that:

1. Notwithstanding section 15-901:

(a) The student count shall be determined using the following definitions:

(i) " Daily attendance" means days in which a pupil attends an educational program for a minimum of two hundred forty minutes, not including meal and recess periods. Attendance for one hundred twenty or more minutes but fewer than two hundred forty minutes shall be counted as one-half day's attendance.

(ii) " Fractional student" means a pupil who is enrolled in an educational program of one hundred twenty or more minutes but fewer than two hundred forty minutes a day, not including meal and recess periods. A fractional student shall be counted as one-half of a full-time student.

(iii) " Full-time student" means a pupil who is enrolled in an educational program for a minimum of two hundred forty minutes a day, not including meal and recess periods.

(b) " Pupils with serious emotional disabilities enrolled in a school district program as provided in section 15-765" includes pupils with serious emotional disabilities enrolled in the department of juvenile corrections school system.

2. All pupils shall be counted as if they were enrolled in grades nine through twelve.

3. The teacher experience index is 1.00.

4. The base support level shall be calculated using the base level multiplied by 1.0, except that the state educational system for committed youth is also eligible for additional teacher compensation monies as specified in section 15-952.

5. Section 15-943, paragraph 1 does not apply.

B. The superintendent may use section 15-855 in making the calculations prescribed in subsection A of this section. The superintendent of the system and the department of education shall prescribe procedures for determining average daily membership.

C. Equalization assistance for the state educational system for committed youth for the budget year is determined by adding the amount of the base support level and district additional assistance for the budget year calculated as prescribed in subsection A of this section.

D. The state educational system for committed youth shall not receive twenty-five percent of the equalization assistance unless it is accredited by the north central association of colleges and secondary schools.

E. The state education fund for committed youth is established. Fund monies shall be used for the purposes of the state educational system for committed youth, and notwithstanding section 35-173, monies appropriated to the fund shall not be transferred to or used for any program that is not within the state educational system for committed youth. State equalization assistance for the state educational system for committed youth as determined in subsection A of this section, other state and federal monies received from the department of education for the state educational system for committed youth and monies appropriated for the state educational system for committed youth, except monies appropriated pursuant to subsection F of this section, shall be deposited in the fund. The state treasurer shall maintain separate accounts for fund monies if the separate accounts are required by statute or federal law.

F. The department of juvenile corrections may seek appropriations for capital needs for land, buildings and improvements, including repairs and maintenance, that are required to maintain the state educational system for committed youth.

G. The state board of education shall apportion state aid and deposit it, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state education fund for committed youth in an amount as determined by subsection A of this section. The apportionments shall be as follows:

1. On July 1, one-third of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

2. On October 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

3. On December 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

4. On January 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

5. On February 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

6. On March 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

7. On April 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

8. On May 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

9. On June 15, one-twelfth of the total amount to be apportioned during the fiscal year.

H. In conjunction with the department of administration, the superintendent of the state educational system for committed youth shall establish procedures to account for the receipt and expenditure of state education fund for committed youth monies by modifying the current accounting system used for state agencies as necessary.