Section 25-2502.46 - Funding for partnership schoolsThe following shall apply:
(1) Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year and each school year thereafter, a school district of the first class shall expend no less than twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) from its annual basic education funding allocation solely for costs associated with the operation of schools governed by agreements pursuant to section 696(i)(2) for the operation of schools previously designated as partnership schools under the School Reform Commission Resolution Number 10 of April 17, 2002, or their successors, or for schools operated under any successor partnership agreements or contracts.(2) Such expenditures shall include costs associated with targeted reform efforts such as: enhancements in curriculum; material and equipment, including computer hardware; professional development programs; improved or newly established accountability measures for employes; safety and security measures; and other costs associated with such agreements.(3) These funds shall be supplemental and in addition to any amount of Federal, State and local funds allocated to those schools previously designated as partnership schools by a school district of the first class under its standard budgeting process.(4) Receipt of funds pursuant to this paragraph shall in no way be deemed to authorize those schools previously designated as partnership schools by a school district of the first class to be treated differently from other schools in the school district of the first class in terms of services or other funding provided by the school district of the first class.(5)(i) No later than September 1, 2008, and each September 1 thereafter, a school district of the first class shall file a report with the Department of Education containing the following information with regard to programs funded under this section for the immediately preceding school year:(A) The name of each school whose operation was governed by an agreement pursuant to paragraph (1), the grade levels served and the number of children attending each school and the name of the person or persons with whom the district has made an agreement for that school's operations.(B) The total dollar amount of costs specified in the agreement existing between the school district and each partner to be paid to the partner and the terms and conditions specified in each agreement.(C) The total dollar amount of costs actually paid by the school district to each partner for the operation of its partnership school or schools.(D) If a difference exists between the dollar amounts reported in clause (C) and those reported in clause (B), an explanation for the difference.(E) If a difference exists between the dollar amounts reported in clause (C) and the dollar amount required to be expended by the district pursuant to paragraph (1), an accounting of where the unexpended dollars were utilized.(ii) Included in the report due no later than September 1, 2008, shall be the information required pursuant to subparagraph (i)(A) and (B) as provided for in the final budget adopted by a school district of the first class for the 2008-2009 school year.(iii) A school district of the first class may submit an updated plan for the operations of schools governed by agreements pursuant to this section anticipated for the 2009-2010 school year at any time during the 2008-2009 school year.(iv) No later than thirty (30) days after receipt of this report a copy shall be furnished to the chairman and minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the chairman and minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.1949, March 10, P.L. 30, No. 14, art. XXV, § 2502.46, added 2006, July 11, P.L. 1092, No. 114, § 13, imd. effective. Amended 2008, July 9, P.L. 846, No. 61, § 29, retroactive effective 7/1/2008.