11/13/1996 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Executive Session (4)

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. 1 schools. Without this provision, the already serious financial, problems experienced by Cape and Island towns will get worse. The Education Reform bill ensured Aden uacv, S tabili , and Fairness to all the towns in the State. The Senate by eliminating the inflation provision and not requiring a follow--up report in 1994 which would have showed there were already problems developing because of the dynamics of the foundation requirement has not acted in the spirit of the reform {J{J fJ measure. }111111111111 We request a change in the statue to have inflation aid included in the distribution of state funds. 4. School Construction Reimbursement: It is unfair that a community with high growth and low income often receives only fifty-eight percent as a reimbursement for school construction, given the higher amounts which exist for other communities. The arguments suggest justification for increasing this percentage. 5. Excess Debt Service: A very logical change to this section of the law would benefit many of our communities. As the law currently reads, we are credited this amount against amounts that would ordinarily have to be raised for minimum school spending. This does not necessarily benefit any Town because, due to our rapid growth, we wind up raising these funds anyway and, as a rule, we are funding the schools at an amount above our statutory minimum. To address this problem,my idea is as follows.- Towns ollows:Towns should continue to receive a credit for their debt service over the State average. However, in recognition of our growing school funding needs,rather than simply reducing our required school spending, the excess debt service amount should be distributed back to the Town as a new form of overburden aid. 5. Spgcial Education: The law which mandated special education requirements and costs to be spent on individual children must be fully funded by the State as it was originally intended. There is a tremendous burden being placed on the Cape and Island towns and it is doing irreputable harm to the learning opportunities of our average and above average students by requiring an excessive amount of funds to be funneled off. Up to 20% of the overall education funds is being spent on special education in some communities with a very low State aid reimbursement. Without State assistance children in need will not get help. It is our suggestion that the State fully fund all out-of-district placements or modify the current Chapter 766 legislation to allow school districts to function within the$15,000 cap. 7. Foundation `Enrollment: The foundation budget is based upon the October 1 student enrollment. our FY 97 foundation budgets are based upon our October 1, 1995 student enrollment, a 1 -- 2 year lag. In the same manner,the DOR averages town growth,the DoE could average student growth. This would allow the foundation enrollment to be closer to reality. 8. Student and Po ulation Relocation: Every school system on the Cape and Islands is experiencing a considerable number of new students being brought in through the human services network. It seems unwise to continue to move a large number of children and families into an area like the Cape and Islands that is having such a hard time finding funds to educate their already burgeoning population without adding to the problem. In addition, in many towns there is a lack of transportation and a limited support system for families who may need special consideration.