1. The amount of money allocated to a local school precinct by the large school district must be determined on a per pupil basis by assigning a category to each pupil and assigning weights to each category in a manner that provides a greater amount of funding for each pupil who belongs to certain designated categories. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, the categories for which a greater weight must be assigned must include, without limitation:

(a) Pupils who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. or a similar alternative measure prescribed by the State Board of Education;

(b) Pupils who are English learners;

(c) Pupils with disabilities; and

(d) Gifted and talented pupils.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, to establish the weight for each category of pupil as required pursuant to subsection 1, the large school district shall apply the same weights and distribution of weights established by the Department for the state funding formula. If the large school district wishes to apply a different weight to any category or a different distribution of weights, the large school district must submit a request for a variance to use a different weight or distribution of weights to the Department for approval.

3. Except if a specialty school is proportionally reduced in size in the manner authorized pursuant to NRS 388G.600, the weights and categories assigned pursuant to this section must ensure that any specialty school or rural school that exists on May 8, 2017, or before the school district becomes a large school district continues to receive not less than the proportionally larger amount of money that was used to fund the specialty school or rural school before those dates.

4. Upon receipt of a request for a variance pursuant to subsection 2, the Department shall review the proposed weights, distribution of weights or request for a variance and inform the large school district whether it approves the proposed weights, distribution of weights or request within 30 days. Once approved, the weights assigned for each category of pupil and the distribution of weights must be posted on the Internet website of the large school district and made available to any person upon request.

5. As used in this section, “distribution of weights” means the manner in which it is determined which weight or weights to apply to a pupil who may qualify for more than one category for which a weight is assigned.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 46)