PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 514, 1367, 1415, PRINTER'S NO. 1913 1817, 1910
No. 494 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY RHOADES, GERLACH, STAPLETON, PICCOLA, THOMPSON, HELFRICK, STOUT, MOWERY, KITCHEN, SALVATORE, DELP, AFFLERBACH, EARLL, HART AND MURPHY, FEBRUARY 12, 1997
SENATE AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE AMENDMENTS, APRIL 21, 1998
AN ACT 1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An <-- 2 act relating to the public school system, including certain 3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial 4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the 5 laws relating thereto," providing for construction, 6 remodeling or alteration of school buildings; authorizing 7 school districts to impose dress codes and to require 8 students to wear standard dress or uniforms; providing for a 9 program of residential education for at-risk secondary 10 students; establishing the Pennsylvania Residential Education 11 Board and the Residential Education Support Fund; and making 12 appropriations. 13 AMENDING THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), ENTITLED "AN <-- 14 ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, INCLUDING CERTAIN 15 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE AS WELL TO PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL 16 SCHOOLS; AMENDING, REVISING, CONSOLIDATING AND CHANGING THE 17 LAWS RELATING THERETO," FURTHER PROVIDING FOR AUXILIARY 18 SERVICES AND FOR THE DEFINITIONS OF "SCHOOL YEAR" AND 19 "CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES"; AUTHORIZING SCHOOL 20 DISTRICTS TO IMPOSE DRESS CODES AND REQUIRE STUDENTS TO WEAR 21 STANDARD DRESS OR UNIFORMS; FURTHER PROVIDING FOR DISTRESSED 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FOR BASIC EDUCATION GRANTS AND HIGHER 23 EDUCATION GRANTS FOR THE LINK-TO-LEARN PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR 24 CERTAIN PROCEDURES RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF DISTRESSED FIRST 25 CLASS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FOR TECHNOLOGY GRANTS TO NONPUBLIC 26 AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS; FURTHER PROVIDING FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE 27 REIMBURSEMENTS, SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSISTANCE, BASIC 28 EDUCATION FUNDING PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIATE UNITS, SPECIAL 29 EDUCATION PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE 30 INCENTIVES AND CHARTER SCHOOL GRANTS; PROVIDING FOR COMMUNITY 31 EDUCATION COUNCILS, FOR THE OPERATION OF THE STATE SYSTEM OF 32 HIGHER EDUCATION, FOR PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF TRANSPORTATION
1 OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS, FOR TEMPORARY SPECIAL AID TO 2 SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUFFERING LOSS OF TAX REVENUE DUE TO 3 REDUCTION IN ASSESSED VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY AND FOR 4 INCENTIVES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTRUCTIONAL 5 CONSOLIDATION; AND MAKING REPEALS. 6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 7 hereby enacts as follows: 8 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known <-- 9 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding sections 10 to read: 11 Section 733.1. Construction, Remodeling or Alteration of 12 School Buildings.--The State Board of Education shall promulgate 13 regulations to assure that, to the maximum feasible extent, the 14 construction, remodeling or alteration of public school 15 buildings is conducted in a manner which protects the students, 16 staff and public from the unreasonable risk of accidents and 17 prevents the unreasonable risk of their exposure to dangerous 18 levels of toxic and noxious dust, fumes, vapors, gases, fibers, 19 fogs, mist, and other atmospheric impurities. In promulgating 20 the regulations, the State Board of Education shall consult with 21 the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of 22 Labor and Industry and shall hold at least one public hearing. 23 Section 1317.3. Uniforms.--(a) School officials in any 24 school entity may impose limitations on dress and may require 25 pupils to wear standard dress or uniforms. Such policies may be 26 districtwide or may be on a school building basis. 27 (b) The Commonwealth shall reimburse those districts or the 28 governing board of any public school entity located within this 29 Commonwealth which have provided free or otherwise subsidized 30 the cost of uniforms for those students who are eligible for 31 either Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or the free 32 and reduced price lunch program. Reimbursement limitations and 19970S0494B1913 - 2 -
1 reimbursement application procedures shall be established by the 2 Secretary of Education. 3 (c) Payments to school districts shall be calculated by 4 multiplying the district aid ratio by the amount of 5 reimbursement sought by the district. Payments to the governing 6 board of any public school entity located within this 7 Commonwealth shall be calculated by multiplying the aid ratio of 8 the district in which the school is physically located by the 9 amount of reimbursement sought by the school. 10 (d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to home 11 education programs established under section 1327.1 of this act. 12 (e) In no case shall the reimbursement to the school 13 district or governing body of any school exceed eighty dollars 14 ($80) per student. 15 (f) A school district or governing body applying for 16 reimbursement under this section shall be eligible for 17 reimbursement for only the first year that uniforms are required 18 in any school or school building within a school district, 19 including the first year any additional building within a school 20 district adopts a required uniform policy. In no case may a 21 school district or governing body receive reimbursement for a 22 school or school building after the first year following the 23 adoption of the uniform policy in that school or school 24 building. 25 Section 2. The act is amended by adding an article to read: 26 ARTICLE XVI-A. 27 RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION. 28 Section 1601-A. Short Title.--This article shall be known 29 and may be cited as the Residential Education Act. 30 Section 1602-A. Definitions.--As used in this article: 19970S0494B1913 - 3 -
1 "AFDC" shall mean the Aid to Families with Dependent Children 2 provisions of Title IV of the Social Security Act (40 Stat. 620, 3 42 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.). 4 "Board" shall mean the Pennsylvania Residential Education 5 Board established by this article. 6 "Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the 7 Commonwealth. 8 "Disruptive student" shall mean a student who poses a clear 9 threat to the safety and welfare of other students or the school 10 staff, who creates an unsafe school environment or whose 11 behavior materially interferes with the learning of other 12 students or disrupts the overall education process. The 13 disruptive student exhibits to a marked degree any or all of the 14 following conditions: 15 (1) Disregard of school authority, including persistent 16 violation of school policy and rules. 17 (2) Display of or use of controlled substances on school 18 property or during school-affiliated activities. 19 (3) Violent or threatening behavior. 20 (4) Possession of a weapon on school property, as defined 21 under 18 Pa.C.S. § 912 (relating to possession of a weapon on 22 school property. 23 (5) Commission of a criminal act on school property. 24 (6) Misconduct that would merit suspension or expulsion 25 under school policy. 26 (7) Habitual truancy. 27 No student who is eligible for special education services 28 pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 29 (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) shall be deemed a 30 disruptive student for the purposes of this article, except as 19970S0494B1913 - 4 -
1 provided for by the Department of Education by applicable 2 regulations. 3 "Eligible student" shall mean a student accepted into the 4 program established by this article pursuant to section 1606-A. 5 "Fund" shall mean the Residential Education Support Fund 6 established by section 1629. 7 "High school tuition charge" shall mean the amount computed 8 under section 2561(3), applicable to pupils attending junior and 9 senior high school. 10 "Independent agency" shall mean as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 11 102 (relating to definitions). 12 "Parent" shall include a guardian or person in loco parentis. 13 "Residential school" shall mean a school that offers a 14 program of secondary education to students who reside on school 15 property. The term does not include a home education program 16 provided pursuant to section 1327.1. 17 "School" shall mean any public or nonpublic secondary school 18 located within this Commonwealth where a Commonwealth resident 19 may legally fulfill the compulsory school attendance 20 requirements and which meets the applicable requirements of 21 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 22 Stat. 241). 23 "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of Education of the 24 Commonwealth. 25 Section 1603-A. Legislative Findings and Purpose.--(a) The 26 General Assembly finds as follows: 27 (1) A substantial proportion of the children of this 28 Commonwealth in low-income families are growing up under the 29 threat of having their futures blighted by the scourges of drugs 30 and violent crime, particularly in our urban school districts. 19970S0494B1913 - 5 -
1 (2) At-risk children may stand a better chance of becoming 2 productive and well-adjusted citizens if they have the 3 opportunity to be educated at an alternative facility that 4 offers a residential program, since such a program will provide 5 a secure and nurturing environment that promotes learning. 6 (3) A residential school program can succeed only with the 7 cooperation and support of the child's parents. 8 (4) Public funding may encourage private providers to create 9 new residential education or open up existing residential 10 education to at-risk children. 11 (b) The purpose of this article is to facilitate the 12 establishment of residential secondary schools in which at-risk 13 children may obtain their education in a safe, healthy and 14 nurturing environment. 15 Section 1604-A. Pennsylvania Residential Education Board.-- 16 (a) There is hereby created an independent agency which shall 17 be known as the Pennsylvania Residential Education Board. 18 (b) The purpose of this board shall be to provide for the 19 education of the eligible students. 20 (c) The board shall be governed and its corporate powers 21 shall be exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist 22 of fifteen members, including the Secretary of Education and the 23 Secretary of Public Welfare, five members appointed by the 24 Governor, two members appointed by the President pro tempore of 25 the Senate, two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the 26 Senate, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 27 Representatives and two members appointed by the Minority Leader 28 of the House of Representatives. The term of office for each 29 member other than the Secretary of Education and the Secretary 30 of Public Welfare shall be four years from his or her 19970S0494B1913 - 6 -
1 appointment or until a successor has been duly appointed and 2 qualified, but no longer than six (6) months beyond the four- 3 year period. Three of the members appointed by the Governor and 4 one of the members appointed by each of the officers of the 5 General Assembly shall serve initial terms of two years. No 6 member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except that 7 members appointed for an initial term of two years may serve two 8 consecutive four-year terms immediately after the initial term. 9 The board shall elect from its own members each year a chair and 10 vice chair who shall serve for terms of one year and who shall 11 be eligible for reelection for successive terms. Vacancies shall 12 be filled for the unexpired terms in the same manner as the 13 original appointments. 14 (d) Directors shall receive no compensation for their 15 services, but shall be reimbursed for their expenses actually 16 and reasonably incurred by them in the performance of their 17 duties. 18 (e) The board of directors shall provide for general and 19 special meetings. Seven directors attending shall constitute a 20 quorum for the transaction of any business and, unless a greater 21 number is required by the bylaws of the board, the act of a 22 majority of the members present at any meeting shall be deemed 23 the act of the board. The board shall adopt bylaws for the board 24 and may appoint such officers and employees as it deems 25 advisable and may fix their compensation and prescribe their 26 duties. 27 (f) Administrative support for the board shall be provided 28 by the department. The department shall periodically consult 29 with the board regarding the administrative needs of the board. 30 (g) An appointed member who fails to attend three 19970S0494B1913 - 7 -
1 consecutive board meetings shall forfeit membership on the board 2 unless the chair, upon written request of the member, determines 3 that the member shall be excused from a meeting or meetings for 4 reasonable cause. 5 Section 1605-A. Powers and Duties.--The Pennsylvania 6 Residential Education Board shall have the following powers and 7 duties, in addition to any others provided by this article: 8 (1) To select, fund and supervise providers of residential 9 education programs in accordance with the provisions of this 10 article. 11 (2) To enter into contracts with the providers in accordance 12 with section 1608-A with respect to residential education 13 programs. 14 (3) To select the students eligible to participate in the 15 residential education program pursuant to section 1606-A. 16 (4) To place eligible students in residential schools that 17 agree to accept them. 18 (5) To provide technical and financial assistance to public 19 and nonpublic schools that wish to establish residential schools 20 for at-risk children. 21 (6) To solicit and accept gifts, grants, loans and other aid 22 from any person or from Federal, State or local government. 23 (7) To promulgate rules and regulations and adopt 24 administrative guidelines relating to its activities, including 25 rules regarding the selection of providers and of eligible 26 students and verification of performance by providers. 27 (8) To develop a research design that will enable the public 28 to evaluate the results of residential education of at-risk 29 children and to collect data from residential schools in 30 accordance with that design. The research design must provide 19970S0494B1913 - 8 -
1 for the collection of data concerning the socioeconomic 2 characteristics of the students, the instruction given and 3 follow-up study of graduates of the program, including their 4 educational attainment, employment history, income, marital 5 status and criminal record. 6 (9) To perform such other acts as may be necessary or 7 appropriate to carry out effectively the objectives and purposes 8 of the board as specified in this article. 9 Section 1606-A. Eligible Students.--(a) A student is 10 eligible to participate in the residential education program if 11 all of the following criteria are met: 12 (1) The student must have been a resident of this 13 Commonwealth for at least two (2) years before application. 14 (2) The family of the student must be eligible to receive 15 assistance under either AFDC or the Food Stamp Act of 1977 16 (Public Law 88-525, 7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.), or both, or the 17 annual family income must meet Federal poverty income 18 guidelines. 19 (3) The student must reside in one of the 167 school 20 districts identified by the department as having the highest 21 percentage of children of families eligible to receive 22 assistance under AFDC when measured as a percentage of the 23 district's average daily membership. 24 (4) The student must reside in a municipal corporation that 25 has a rate of violent crime more than twice the Statewide 26 average rate as reported to the department under section 1611- 27 A(b). 28 (5) The student must be of an age such that he or she would 29 be eligible to enter grade seven, eight, nine or ten in the 30 school district of residence, but in no event older than 19970S0494B1913 - 9 -
1 seventeen years of age. 2 (6) An application must be submitted to the board under 3 subsection (b). 4 (7) The student must be accepted into the program under 5 subsection (c). 6 (b) The parents of the student must submit an application to 7 the board on a form prescribed by the board by the deadline set 8 by the board. The application must include all of the following: 9 (1) Information showing that the student is eligible under 10 subsection (a)(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5). 11 (2) The school grade that the student intends to enter. 12 (3) A release allowing the board to verify the information 13 provided on the application. 14 (4) Such other information as the board may require by 15 regulation. 16 (c) The board shall approve applications in a number that is 17 within the number of placements in residential schools under 18 contract with or otherwise available to the board. No more than 19 three per centum of the average daily membership in grades seven 20 through ten of a school district may be selected from the 21 applicants residing in that district, unless the number of 22 eligible students would otherwise be fewer than the number of 23 available placements. If the applications from a school district 24 exceed the limitations of this subsection, the board shall 25 select the eligible students from among the applicants by random 26 selection. However, if the applications from all the school 27 districts exceed the number of available placements, the board 28 shall approve applicants by random selection from each school 29 district in the proportion that the number of placements bears 30 to the total applications. The board shall determine the 19970S0494B1913 - 10 -
1 assignment of the students to the residential schools and shall 2 so notify the parents of the student. 3 (d) A student shall no longer be eligible for the program 4 established by this article if the student has: 5 (1) voluntarily withdrawn from the residential school 6 program; or 7 (2) violated behavioral standards as promulgated by the 8 board. 9 An eligible student may not be dismissed from the program on the 10 grounds that the student's municipal corporation or school 11 district of residence does not qualify under subsection (a)(3) 12 or (4). 13 Section 1607-A. Residential Education Programs.--(a) The 14 board shall award contracts pursuant to this article to 15 providers who demonstrate the ability to operate and administer 16 a residential school program that provides a suitable secondary 17 education program for eligible students. 18 (b) The proposal submitted by the prospective provider must 19 include the following: 20 (1) The title or name and the address or location of the 21 school or classes together with the name of the owners and 22 controlling officers. 23 (2) The general and specific fields of instruction that will 24 be offered and the purposes of such instruction. 25 (3) The place or places where instruction will be given. 26 (4) The place or places where the students will reside. 27 (5) A specific listing of the equipment and staff available 28 for instruction and residential supervision. 29 (6) The maximum enrollment that can be accommodated by the 30 educational and residential facilities available. 19970S0494B1913 - 11 -
1 (7) The qualifications of instructors, administrators and 2 supervisors. 3 (8) Financial resources available to equip and maintain the 4 school and the residence. 5 (9) An agreement to abide by reasonable service and business 6 ethics prescribed by the board. 7 (10) A research and performance verification plan consistent 8 with the research design prescribed under section 1625-A(8). 9 (11) Any additional information the board may deem necessary 10 to enable it to determine the adequacy of the program of 11 instruction, the business integrity, the social support services 12 and related matters. 13 (c) The board may exempt residential schools under contract 14 with the board from the provisions of this act except for those 15 applicable to nonpublic nonlicensed schools. This subsection 16 shall not exempt residential schools from requirements otherwise 17 applicable under the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, 18 No.174), known as the "Private Licensed Schools Act," or the act 19 of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the "Private 20 Academic Schools Act." 21 (d) No contract may be awarded to a nonpublic school unless 22 the proposal includes adequate assurances that the residential 23 school will not be pervasively sectarian and that its secular 24 character can be maintained without excessive entanglement 25 between the provider and the Commonwealth. 26 Section 1608-A. Award of Contracts.--(a) Contracts for the 27 operation, administration and funding of residential schools 28 shall be awarded through a process of competitive sealed 29 proposals, which the board shall solicit through a request for 30 proposals. The contract relating to each residential school 19970S0494B1913 - 12 -
1 shall be let pursuant to a separate request for proposals. 2 (b) Adequate public notice of the request for proposals 3 shall be given a reasonable time prior to the date set for the 4 opening of proposals. Notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin is 5 sufficient for all purposes under this section. 6 (c) Discussions and negotiations may be conducted with 7 responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be 8 reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. Offerors 9 shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any 10 opportunity for discussion, negotiation and revision of 11 proposals. Revision may be permitted after submissions and prior 12 to award for the purpose of obtaining best and final offers. 13 Discussions shall not disclose any information derived from 14 proposals submitted by other offerors. 15 (d) Award shall be made to the offeror whose proposal is 16 determined in writing by the board to be the most advantageous 17 to the Commonwealth based on the criteria determined by the 18 board. 19 Section 1609-A. Residential Education Support Fund.--(a) 20 There is hereby created a special nonlapsing fund in the State 21 Treasury to be known as the Residential Education Support Fund. 22 Moneys received by the board shall be paid into the State 23 Treasury and shall be credited to the fund and are hereby 24 appropriated to the board on a continuing basis to assist in 25 funding activities necessary to meet the requirements of this 26 article. The fund shall consist of the following: 27 (1) Any moneys appropriated to the fund by general 28 appropriations. 29 (2) Contributions to the fund. 30 (3) The tuition charges required by section 1610-A. 19970S0494B1913 - 13 -
1 (b) (1) Any business firm which contributes to the fund may 2 receive a tax credit against any tax due under Article IV, VI, 3 VII, VII-A, VIII, VIII-A, IX, X or XV of the act of March 4, 4 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the "Tax Reform Code of 1971," or 5 any tax substituted in lieu thereof. The credit shall not exceed 6 two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) annually. Any tax 7 credit not used in the calendar or fiscal year the donation is 8 made may be carried over for the next five succeeding calendar 9 or fiscal years until the full credit has been allowed. 10 (2) The total amount of all tax credits allowed pursuant to 11 this section shall not exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) 12 in any one fiscal year of the Commonwealth, unless a greater 13 amount is provided for in the general appropriation act. If the 14 total amount of tax credits claimed under this section exceeds 15 the amount permitted under this paragraph, the tax credit 16 allowed each business firm shall be ratably reduced under 17 regulations promulgated by the Department of Revenue. 18 (c) Any charitable donations made by persons to the board 19 shall also be deposited in the fund. 20 (d) For the purposes of this section, the term "business 21 firm" means any business entity authorized to do business in 22 this Commonwealth and subject to taxes imposed by Article IV, 23 VI, VII, VII-A, VIII, VIII-A, IX, X or XV of the "Tax Reform 24 Code of 1971." 25 Section 1610-A. Tuition Charges.--For each eligible student 26 who attends a residential school that is not administered and 27 operated by the school district of residence, the department 28 shall pay to the fund the high school tuition charge 29 attributable to the district and shall continue to pay the fund 30 so long as the eligible student attends a residential school. 19970S0494B1913 - 14 -
1 Payments shall be deducted from the reimbursements otherwise due 2 the school district of residence under Article XXV. For purposes 3 of this section, the term "school district of residence" means 4 the school district in which the eligible student resided 5 immediately before his or her attendance in a residential 6 school. 7 Section 1611-A. Reports.--(a) No later than January 31 of 8 each year, the board shall submit a report to the Governor, the 9 Appropriations Committee and the Education Committee of the 10 Senate and the Appropriations Committee and the Education 11 Committee of the House of Representatives, which shall include 12 the following: 13 (1) The names of the providers, the names and addresses of 14 the residential schools operated pursuant to this article and 15 the number of eligible students enrolled in each school, 16 analyzed by grade level and gender. 17 (2) The socioeconomic characteristics of the eligible 18 students, with a separate analysis of those most recently 19 enrolled. 20 (3) The number of students who have withdrawn from the 21 residential schools and the number who have graduated from the 22 program. 23 (4) The amount of financial support provided under this 24 article to the residential schools, broken down by contract 25 payments, amounts paid from the fund and amounts paid from 26 Commonwealth appropriations. 27 (5) Evaluation of the program and suggestions for 28 improvement, including suggestions for legislative action. 29 In no case shall the names of eligible students or their parents 30 be furnished as part of this report. 19970S0494B1913 - 15 -
1 (b) The Pennsylvania State Police shall annually submit to 2 the board a list of all municipal corporations that have a rate 3 of violent crime equal to or greater than twice the Statewide 4 average rate of violent crime. 5 Section 3. The respective appointing authorities shall 6 appoint the members of the Pennsylvania Residential Education 7 Board within 120 days of the effective date of this act. 8 Section 4. (a) The sum of $3,000,000 is hereby appropriated 9 to the Department of Education for the fiscal year July 1, 1998, 10 to June 30, 1999, for the purposes of implementing section 11 1317.3 of the act. 12 (b) The sum of $3,000,000, or as much thereof as may be 13 necessary, is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year July 1, 14 1998, to June 30, 1999, to the Pennsylvania Residential 15 Education Board to administer the provisions of Article XVI-A of 16 the act. 17 (c) The sum of $20,000,000, or as much thereof as may be 18 necessary, is hereby appropriated to the Department of Education 19 for the fiscal year July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, for grants 20 to school districts for the purchase of textbooks. Payments to 21 school districts shall be equal to an amount derived by 22 multiplying the average daily membership of a school district by 23 $21 times the market value personal income aid ratio of the 24 school district. The Department of Education shall require that 25 school districts provide an equitable share of the grant to the 26 area vocational-technical schools which their students attend. 27 Section 5. This act shall take effect in 60 days. 28 SECTION 1. SECTIONS 102(4) AND 507 OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, <-- 29 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, 30 ARE AMENDED TO READ: 19970S0494B1913 - 16 -
1 SECTION 102. DEFINITIONS.--WHEN USED IN THIS ACT THE 2 FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS: 3 * * * 4 (4) "SCHOOL YEAR" SHALL MEAN THE PERIOD OF TIME ELAPSING IN 5 SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE FIRST CLASS BETWEEN THE FIRST DAY OF 6 JANUARY AND THE THIRTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER OF ANY YEAR, AND IN 7 SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF ALL OTHER CLASSES BETWEEN THE FIRST DAY OF 8 JULY OF ONE YEAR AND THE THIRTIETH DAY OF JUNE OF THE FOLLOWING 9 YEAR. SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH A YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION PROGRAM MAY 10 SUBMIT A REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION FOR APPROVAL OR 11 DISAPPROVAL TO EXTEND THE SCHOOL YEAR UNTIL AUGUST 15 FOR THE 12 PURPOSE OF DETERMINING AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIPS FOR STUDENTS 13 WHOSE ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS OF INSTRUCTION CONTINUE INTO 14 THE SUMMER MONTHS. 15 * * * 16 SECTION 507. GENERAL POWERS; TAXATION.--IN ORDER TO 17 ESTABLISH, ENLARGE, EQUIP, FURNISH, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN ANY 18 SCHOOLS OR DEPARTMENTS HEREIN PROVIDED, OR TO PAY ANY SCHOOL 19 INDEBTEDNESS WHICH ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO PAY, OR TO 20 PAY ANY INDEBTEDNESS THAT MAY AT ANY TIME HEREAFTER BE CREATED 21 BY ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT, OR TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ANY 22 PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS IN EACH 23 SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HEREBY VESTED WITH ALL THE NECESSARY 24 AUTHORITY AND POWER ANNUALLY TO LEVY AND COLLECT, IN THE MANNER 25 HEREIN PROVIDED, THE NECESSARY TAXES REQUIRED, IN ADDITION TO 26 THE ANNUAL STATE APPROPRIATION, AND SHALL HAVE, AND BE VESTED 27 WITH, ALL NECESSARY POWER AND AUTHORITY TO COMPLY WITH AND CARRY 28 OUT ANY OR ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. IN THE CASE OF A 29 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS, THE DUTIES IMPOSED BY THIS 30 SECTION SHALL APPLY TO A CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS THAT IS 19970S0494B1913 - 17 -
1 COTERMINOUS WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS. 2 SECTION 2. SECTION 691 OF THE ACT, AMENDED OR ADDED DECEMBER 3 15, 1959 (P.L.1842, NO.675) AND JULY 31, 1963 (P.L.407, NO.215), 4 IS AMENDED TO READ: 5 SECTION 691. WHEN DISTRICT DISTRESSED.--(A) A SCHOOL 6 DISTRICT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE DISTRESSED WHEN ANY ONE OF THE 7 FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL ARISE AND THE [SUPERINTENDENT OF 8 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION] SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, AFTER PROPER 9 INVESTIGATION OF THE DISTRICT'S FINANCIAL CONDITION, THE 10 ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES OF THE BOARD AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS [AS 11 TO HIM MAY SEEM PERTINENT] DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SECRETARY 12 OF EDUCATION, HAS ISSUED A CERTIFICATE DECLARING SUCH DISTRICT 13 IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS: 14 (1) THE SALARIES OF ANY TEACHERS OR OTHER EMPLOYES HAVE 15 REMAINED UNPAID FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY (90) DAYS. 16 (2) THE TUITION DUE ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT REMAINS UNPAID 17 ON AND AFTER JANUARY FIRST OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE SCHOOL YEAR 18 IT WAS DUE AND THERE IS NO DISPUTE REGARDING THE VALIDITY OR 19 AMOUNT OF THE CLAIM. 20 (3) ANY AMOUNT DUE ANY JOINT BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS UNDER 21 A JOINT BOARD AGREEMENT REMAINS UNPAID FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY 22 (90) CALENDAR DAYS BEYOND THE DUE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE JOINT 23 BOARD'S ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. 24 (4) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS DEFAULTED IN PAYMENT OF ITS 25 BONDS OR INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS OR IN PAYMENT OF RENTALS DUE ANY 26 AUTHORITY FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY (90) CALENDAR DAYS AND NO 27 ACTION HAS BEEN INITIATED WITHIN THAT PERIOD OF TIME TO MAKE 28 PAYMENT. 29 (5) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS CONTRACTED ANY LOAN NOT 30 AUTHORIZED BY LAW. 19970S0494B1913 - 18 -
1 (6) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ACCUMULATED AND HAS OPERATED 2 WITH A DEFICIT EQUAL TO TWO PER CENTUM (2%) OR MORE OF THE 3 ASSESSED VALUATION OF THE TAXABLE REAL ESTATE WITHIN THE 4 DISTRICT FOR TWO SUCCESSIVE YEARS. 5 (7) A NEW, MERGED OR UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN FORMED 6 AND ONE OR MORE OF THE FORMER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH COMPOSE THE 7 MERGED OR UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS A DISTRESSED SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 AT THE TIME OF THE FORMATION OF THE MERGED OR UNION SCHOOL 9 DISTRICT. 10 (B) NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE DISTRESSED BY 11 REASON OF ANY OF THE ABOVE CIRCUMSTANCES ARISING AS A RESULT OF 12 THE FAILURE OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO MAKE ANY PAYMENT OF MONEY DUE 13 THE DISTRICT AT THE TIME SUCH PAYMENT IS DUE. 14 (C) IN ADDITION TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO DETERMINE FINANCIAL 15 DISTRESS UNDER SUBSECTION (A), THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MAY 16 DECLARE A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS TO BE DISTRESSED IF 17 THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DETERMINES THAT: 18 (1) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS FAILED TO ADOPT 19 OR TO COMPLY WITH A VALID BUDGET TO OPERATE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 20 FOR A MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL YEAR UNDER SECTION 1501; 21 (2) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS FAILED TO 22 ALLOCATE OR TRANSFER REVENUES TO ENSURE THAT FUNDS ARE 23 SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOOL YEAR UNDER 24 SECTION 1501; 25 (3) THE CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS FAILED TO TRANSFER REVENUES 26 TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT BUDGET; OR 27 (4) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS HAS FAILED OR 28 WILL FAIL TO PROVIDE FOR AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN COMPLIANCE 29 WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, REGULATIONS OF THE STATE BOARD 30 OF EDUCATION OR STANDARDS OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. 19970S0494B1913 - 19 -
1 SECTION 3. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 2 SECTION 696. DISTRESS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF THE FIRST 3 CLASS.--(A) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL APPOINT A CHIEF 4 EXECUTIVE OFFICER WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER A DECLARATION 5 BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE 6 FIRST CLASS IS DISTRESSED UNDER SECTION 691(C) TO OVERSEE AND 7 MANAGE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHALL 8 SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. 9 (B) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE SCHOOL REFORM 10 COMMISSION SHALL ASSUME CONTROL OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT. 11 EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 12 SHALL ASSUME THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE 13 BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS UNTIL TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD OF 14 DISTRESS UNDER SUBSECTION (N). 15 (C) UPON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE 16 SUPERINTENDENT SHALL BE SUSPENDED OR DISMISSED AND THE POWERS 17 AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS SHALL BE SUSPENDED. 18 (D) WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS OF A DECLARATION BY THE 19 SECRETARY OF EDUCATION THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS 20 IS DISTRESSED UNDER SECTION 691(C), A FIVE MEMBER SCHOOL REFORM 21 COMMISSION SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. MEMBERS SHALL SERVE AT THE 22 PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. THE SCHOOL REFORM 23 COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 24 (1) THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, AT LEAST TWO OF 25 WHOM SHALL BE RESIDENTS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. 26 (2) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR WHO SHALL BE A 27 RESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IN THE EVENT THE MAYOR FAILS TO 28 APPOINT THE MEMBER TO THE COMMISSION WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) DAYS OF 29 THE DATE THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DECLARED THE DISTRICT TO BE 30 DISTRESSED, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT THE REMAINING MEMBER. 19970S0494B1913 - 20 -
1 (3) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRMAN, 2 OR HIS DESIGNEE. 3 (E) THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION SHALL ADVISE AND ASSIST THE 4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REGARDING THE OPERATION, MANAGEMENT AND 5 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE POWERS AND 6 DUTIES GRANTED HERETOFORE TO THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF A 7 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS UNDER THIS ACT OR ANY OTHER 8 LAW REGARDING THE AUTHORITY TO LEVY TAXES AND INCUR DEBT SHALL 9 BE VESTED IN THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION UNTIL THE SECRETARY OF 10 EDUCATION ISSUES A DECLARATION UNDER SUBSECTION (N). 11 (F) THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR EXPENSES 12 INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES FROM FUNDS 13 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. 14 (G) ACTIONS OF THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION SHALL BE BY 15 MAJORITY VOTE. THREE MEMBERS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM. 16 (H) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE SCHOOL REFORM 17 COMMISSION SHALL DIRECT FINANCIAL MATTERS RELATED TO THE 18 DISTRESSED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS AND: 19 (1) ALL TAXES AUTHORIZED TO BE LEVIED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT 20 OF THE FIRST CLASS OR FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS 21 BY A CITY OR COUNTY OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL CONTINUE TO BE 22 LEVIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT AND SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO 23 THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. FOR THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR OR PART THEREOF, 24 AND EVERY FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER IN WHICH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS 25 DECLARED TO BE DISTRESSED, THE AMOUNT LEVIED, COLLECTED AND 26 TRANSMITTED FOR EACH TAX SHALL BE IN AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN THE 27 HIGHEST AMOUNT PAID BY THE CITY OR COUNTY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 28 DURING ANY OF THE THREE FULL PRECEDING FISCAL YEARS. IN 29 ADDITION, THE CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL PROVIDE TO THE 30 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS ALL OTHER AVAILABLE LOCAL 19970S0494B1913 - 21 -
1 NON-TAX REVENUE, INCLUDING GRANTS, SUBSIDIES OR PAYMENTS MADE 2 DURING THE PRIOR YEAR. 3 (2) IN ADDITION TO THE MONEYS COLLECTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1), 4 THE CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL REMIT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 5 OF THE FIRST CLASS FOR EACH YEAR THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS 6 DECLARED DISTRESSED, THAT PORTION OF ALL OTHER LOCAL TAX REVENUE 7 LEVIED FOR A FULL FISCAL YEAR BY A CITY OR COUNTY OF THE FIRST 8 CLASS COTERMINOUS WITH A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS THAT 9 WAS ALLOCATED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIOR TO THE SCHOOL 10 DISTRICT BEING DECLARED DISTRESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 11 691(C). 12 (3) ALL TAXES COLLECTED ON BEHALF OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF 13 THE FIRST CLASS BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY, INCLUDING A CITY OR 14 COUNTY OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL BE PROMPTLY PAID FOLLOWING 15 COLLECTION TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE 16 SCHOOL DISTRICT. 17 (4) IN THE EVENT THE CITY OR COUNTY OF THE FIRST CLASS DOES 18 NOT MEET THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PRESCRIBED IN THIS 19 SUBSECTION, THE COMMONWEALTH MAY APPLY TO THAT OBLIGATION ANY 20 AMOUNTS OTHERWISE DUE FROM THE COMMONWEALTH TO THE CITY OR 21 COUNTY OF THE FIRST CLASS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, GRANTS, 22 AWARDS AND MONEYS COLLECTED BY THE COMMONWEALTH ON BEHALF OF THE 23 CITY OR COUNTY OF THE FIRST CLASS. FUNDS WITHHELD SHALL BE 24 MAINTAINED IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT BY THE STATE TREASURER TO BE 25 DISBURSED AS DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION IN 26 CONSULTATION WITH THE STATE TREASURER. 27 (5) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHALL DEVELOP AND ADOPT A 28 BUDGET WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION. 29 (I) IN ADDITION TO ALL POWERS GRANTED TO THE SUPERINTENDENT 30 BY LAW AND A SPECIAL BOARD OF CONTROL UNDER SECTION 693, AND 19970S0494B1913 - 22 -
1 NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE CHIEF 2 EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS: 3 (1) TO APPOINT SUCH PERSONS AND OTHER ENTITIES AS NEEDED TO 4 CONDUCT FISCAL AND PERFORMANCE AUDITS AND OTHER NECESSARY 5 ANALYSES. 6 (2) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION, TO 7 APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CHARTER SCHOOL OR THE CONVERSION 8 OF AN EXISTING SCHOOL TO A CHARTER SCHOOL PURSUANT TO THE 9 PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE XVII-A. 10 (I) A SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDING CONVERTED TO A CHARTER SCHOOL 11 OR A CHARTER SCHOOL OTHERWISE APPROVED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL 12 NOT BE SUBJECT TO SECTIONS 1717-A(B), (C), (D), (E), (F) AND 13 (G), 1722-A(C) AND 1724-A. 14 (II) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MAY SUSPEND OR REVOKE A 15 CHARTER PURSUANT TO SECTION 1729-A. 16 (3) TO SUSPEND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT AND REGULATIONS 17 OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION EXCEPT THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 18 SHALL REMAIN SUBJECT TO THOSE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT AND 19 REGULATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 1732-A(A), (B) AND (C). 20 (4) TO EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYES 21 WHO DO NOT HOLD STATE CERTIFICATION IF THE SCHOOL REFORM 22 COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PERSON AT A 23 SALARY ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION. 24 (5) TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH FOR-PROFIT OR NONPROFIT 25 ENTITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING SCHOOLS OR PROVIDING 26 EDUCATIONAL OR OTHER SERVICES TO OR FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. 27 (6) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, TO 28 CLOSE OR RECONSTITUTE A SCHOOL, INCLUDING THE REASSIGNMENT, 29 SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES. 30 (7) TO SUSPEND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES WITHOUT REGARD TO THE 19970S0494B1913 - 23 -
1 PROVISIONS OF SECTION 1125.1. 2 (8) TO APPOINT MANAGERS OR MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO OVERSEE THE 3 OPERATIONS OF A SCHOOL OR GROUP OF SCHOOLS WITHIN THE SCHOOL 4 DISTRICT. 5 (9) TO REALLOCATE RESOURCES, AMEND SCHOOL PROCEDURES, 6 DEVELOP ACHIEVEMENT PLANS AND IMPLEMENT TESTING OR OTHER 7 EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. 8 (10) TO SUPERVISE AND DIRECT PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND 9 ADMINISTRATORS. 10 (11) TO NEGOTIATE ANY MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING UNDER THE 11 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN EXISTENCE ON THE EFFECTIVE 12 DATE OF THIS SECTION. 13 (12) TO NEGOTIATE A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. 14 (J) THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF THE DISTRESSED SCHOOL 15 DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL CONTINUE IN OFFICE FOR THE 16 REMAINDER OF THEIR TERMS DURING THE TIME THE DISTRICT IS 17 OPERATED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE COMMISSION 18 UNLESS REMOVED FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY UNDER SECTION 318 BY THE 19 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, OR UNLESS THE DIRECTOR IS ELECTED TO 20 ANOTHER POSITION NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE POSITION OF SCHOOL 21 DIRECTOR OR IS APPOINTED TO A POSITION FOR WHICH THERE IS A 22 REQUIREMENT THAT THE APPOINTEE SHALL HOLD NO ELECTIVE OFFICE. 23 THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS SHALL PERFORM ANY DUTIES DELEGATED 24 TO IT BY THE COMMISSION. THE ASSUMPTION OF CONTROL BY THE CHIEF 25 EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION SHALL NOT 26 INTERFERE WITH THE REGULAR SELECTION OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS FOR THE 27 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS. 28 (K) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BETWEEN EMPLOYES AND THE SCHOOL 29 DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE 30 WITH THIS SUBSECTION. 19970S0494B1913 - 24 -
1 (1) WHETHER OR NOT A DECLARATION OF DISTRESS HAS BEEN MADE 2 UNDER SECTION 691(C), A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN 3 EFFECT ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE 4 EXTENDED AND SHALL HAVE NO FORCE OR EFFECT BEYOND THE EXISTING 5 TERM OF THE CONTRACT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW TO THE 6 CONTRARY. 7 (2) NO DISTRESSED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL 8 BE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS OR 9 ENTER INTO MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING, OR OTHER AGREEMENTS 10 REGARDING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: 11 (I) CONTRACTS WITH THIRD PARTIES FOR THE PROVISION OF GOODS 12 OR SERVICES, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES OR THE POTENTIAL 13 IMPACT OF SUCH CONTRACTS ON EMPLOYES. 14 (II) DECISIONS RELATED TO REDUCTIONS IN FORCE. 15 (III) STAFFING PATTERNS AND ASSIGNMENTS, CLASS SCHEDULES, 16 ACADEMIC CALENDAR, PLACES OF INSTRUCTION, PUPIL ASSESSMENT AND 17 TEACHER PREPARATION TIME. 18 (IV) THE USE, CONTINUATION OR EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS 19 DESIGNATED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AS PILOT OR 20 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMS. 21 (V) THE APPROVAL OR DESIGNATION OF A SCHOOL AS A CHARTER OR 22 MAGNET SCHOOL. 23 (VI) THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL OR OTHER 24 SERVICES. 25 (3) A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL 26 EMPLOYES ENTERED INTO AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT IN 27 EFFECT ON THE DATE OF THE DECLARATION OF DISTRESS SHALL PROVIDE 28 FOR THE FOLLOWING: 29 (I) A SCHOOL DAY FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES THAT IS EQUAL TO 30 OR EXCEEDS THE STATE AVERAGE AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT. AN 19970S0494B1913 - 25 -
1 EXTENSION OF THE SCHOOL DAY RESULTING FROM THIS REQUIREMENT 2 SHALL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL TIME FOR STUDENTS. 3 (II) THE NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS SHALL BE EQUAL TO OR 4 EXCEED THE STATE AVERAGE NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS. 5 (III) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND THE COMMISSION SHALL 6 NOT INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYES SOLELY TO FULFILL THE 7 REQUIREMENTS UNDER SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) AND (II). 8 (4) A PROVISION IN ANY CONTRACT IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF THE 9 DECLARATION OF DISTRESS UNDER THIS SUBSECTION THAT IS IN 10 CONFLICT WITH THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE DISCONTINUED IN ANY NEW 11 OR RENEWED CONTRACT. 12 (5) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL ELIMINATE, SUPERSEDE OR 13 PREEMPT ANY PROVISION OF AN EXISTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 14 AGREEMENT UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT UNLESS OTHERWISE 15 AUTHORIZED BY LAW. 16 (6) IF, UPON THE TERMINATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 17 AGREEMENT IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF THE DECLARATION OF DISTRESS 18 UNDER THIS SECTION, A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT HAS 19 NOT BEEN RATIFIED, THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL ESTABLISH A 20 PERSONNEL SALARY SCHEDULE TO BE USED UNTIL A NEW AGREEMENT IS 21 RATIFIED. 22 (L) DURING THE TIME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS 23 IS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALL 24 SCHOOL EMPLOYES SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN ANY STRIKE 25 AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE XI-A AND SECTION 301 OF THE ACT OF JULY 26 23, 1970 (P.L.563, NO.195), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC EMPLOYE 27 RELATIONS ACT. THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MAY SUSPEND THE 28 CERTIFICATE OF AN EMPLOYE WHO VIOLATES THIS SUBSECTION. 29 (M) IF A VACANCY OCCURS IN THE POSITION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE 30 OFFICER, THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MAY IMPLEMENT A TEMPORARY 19970S0494B1913 - 26 -
1 TRANSFER OF ALL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2 TO THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION UNTIL A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE 3 OFFICER IS APPOINTED. 4 (N) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF 5 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF A 6 MAJORITY OF THE SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION, MAY ISSUE A 7 DECLARATION TO DISSOLVE THE COMMISSION AND TERMINATE THE 8 SERVICES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. THE DISSOLUTION 9 DECLARATION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE NINETY (90) DAYS AFTER ISSUANCE 10 BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. 11 (O) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION ARE SEVERABLE. IF ANY 12 PROVISION OF THIS SECTION OR ITS APPLICATION TO ANY PERSON OR 13 CIRCUMSTANCE IS HELD INVALID, THE INVALIDITY SHALL NOT AFFECT 14 THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OR APPLICATIONS. 15 SECTION 4. SECTIONS 917.1-A AND 919.1-A OF THE ACT ARE 16 AMENDED BY ADDING SUBSECTIONS TO READ: 17 SECTION 917.1-A. COMMONWEALTH PAYMENTS.--* * * 18 (H) FOR THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH INTERMEDIATE UNIT 19 SHALL RECEIVE A PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE 20 UNDER SUBSECTION (A) MINUS THE PAYMENTS MADE UNDER SECTION 21 919.1-A(E) BASED ON THE AMOUNT RECEIVED BY THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT 22 UNDER SUBSECTION (G) FOR THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR. DURING THE 23 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, HOWEVER, NO INTERMEDIATE UNIT SHALL 24 RECEIVE LESS PAYMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION THAN THE AMOUNT OF 25 THE PAYMENTS THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT RECEIVED UNDER SUBSECTION (G) 26 DURING THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR. 27 SECTION 919.1-A. CAPITAL SUBSIDY.--* * * 28 (E) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS ACT TO THE 29 CONTRARY, FOR THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH INTERMEDIATE UNIT 30 SHALL RECEIVE THE ACTUAL PAYMENT FOR CAPITAL SUBSIDY WHICH IT 19970S0494B1913 - 27 -
1 RECEIVED UNDER THIS SECTION AND SECTION 2502.6(B) DURING THE 2 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR. 3 SECTION 5. SECTION 922.1-A(C) OF THE ACT, ADDED AUGUST 1, 4 1975 (P.L.180, NO.89), IS AMENDED TO READ: 5 SECTION 922.1-A. AUXILIARY SERVICES.--* * * 6 (C) PROGRAM OF AUXILIARY SERVICES. STUDENTS ATTENDING 7 NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL BE FURNISHED A PROGRAM OF AUXILIARY 8 SERVICES WHICH ARE PROVIDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE 9 SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH THEIR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL IS LOCATED. THE 10 PROGRAM OF AUXILIARY SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE 11 INTERMEDIATE UNIT IN WHICH THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL IS LOCATED, IN 12 ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS OF THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. SUCH 13 SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL 14 STUDENTS BY THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT [EXCEPT THAT SUCH SERVICES 15 SHALL NOT BE PROVIDED IN A CHURCH OR IN ANY FACILITY UNDER THE 16 CONTROL OF A SECTARIAN SCHOOL] IN THE SCHOOLS WHICH THE STUDENTS 17 ATTEND, IN MOBILE INSTRUCTIONAL UNITS LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF 18 SUCH SCHOOLS OR IN ANY ALTERNATIVE SETTING MUTUALLY AGREED UPON 19 BY THE SCHOOL AND THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED 20 BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF 21 THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. 22 SUCH AUXILIARY SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY BY THE 23 INTERMEDIATE UNITS AND NO AUXILIARY SERVICES PRESENTLY PROVIDED 24 TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS BY THE INTERMEDIATE UNITS AND/OR 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY MEANS OF STATE OR LOCAL REVENUES, DURING THE 26 SCHOOL YEAR 1974-1975, SHALL BE ELIMINATED. NO SCHOOL DISTRICTS 27 SHALL BE REQUIRED, PURSUANT TO ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT, TO OFFER 28 AUXILIARY SERVICES PROVIDED BY ANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN 29 SUCH INTERMEDIATE UNITS. 30 SECTION 6. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 19970S0494B1913 - 28 -
1 SECTION 1317.3. UNIFORMS.--THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ANY 2 SCHOOL ENTITY MAY IMPOSE LIMITATIONS ON DRESS AND MAY REQUIRE 3 PUPILS TO WEAR STANDARD DRESS OR UNIFORMS. DRESS POLICIES MAY BE 4 APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL ENTITY OR MAY BE APPLICABLE TO 5 ONE OR MORE SCHOOL BUILDINGS WITHIN THE SCHOOL ENTITY. 6 * * * 7 SECTION 7. SECTION 1548 OF THE ACT, ADDED JUNE 7, 1993 8 (P.L.49, NO.16), IS AMENDED TO READ: 9 SECTION 1548. INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT.--[THE INSTRUCTIONAL 10 SUPPORT PROGRAM CURRENTLY FOUND AT 22 PA. CODE § 14.24 (RELATING 11 TO INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT) OR ANY SUCCESSOR REGULATION SHALL NOT 12 APPLY TO STUDENTS WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE GIFTED, TO STUDENTS 13 ATTENDING NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE EXCEPTIONAL OR 14 TO YOUNG CHILDREN NOT YET OF KINDERGARTEN AGE OR NOT ENROLLED IN 15 A PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAM. PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS THOUGHT TO BE 16 ELIGIBLE MAY BE SERVED REGARDLESS OF GRADE.] ALL PROVISIONS IN 17 22 PA. CODE CHS. 14 (RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND 18 PROGRAMS) AND 342 (RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND 19 PROGRAMS) PERTAINING TO INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT ARE OPTIONAL FOR 20 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 21 SECTION 8. THE DEFINITION OF "COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL" 22 IN SECTION 1502-A OF THE ACT, ADDED JUNE 25, 1997 (P.L.297, 23 NO.30), IS AMENDED TO READ: 24 SECTION 1502-A. DEFINITIONS.--AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, 25 * * * 26 "COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL" SHALL MEAN A NONPROFIT 27 [INSTITUTIONALLY NEUTRAL] EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION, GOVERNED BY 28 A COMMUNITY-BASED BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH SERVES TO PROVIDE 29 ACCESS TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESOURCES FOR 30 CITIZENS IN [COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ADULT 19970S0494B1913 - 29 -
1 EDUCATION, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND/OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION 2 SERVICES] EDUCATIONALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH. 3 * * * 4 SECTION 9. SECTIONS 1503-A(C)(2.1) AND (2.2) AND 1504-A(A) 5 OF THE ACT, AMENDED JUNE 25, 1997 (P.L.297, NO.30), ARE AMENDED 6 TO READ: 7 SECTION 1503-A. BASIC EDUCATION GRANTS.--* * * 8 (C) * * * 9 (2.1) FOR THE 1997-1998 AND 1998-1999 SCHOOL [YEAR] YEARS, A 10 SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT IN THE SAME AMOUNT 11 AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FOR THE 1996-1997 12 SCHOOL YEAR AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (2). 13 (2.2) FOR THE 1997-1998 AND 1998-1999 SCHOOL [YEAR] YEARS, 14 AN AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE 15 FROM THE AMOUNT OF THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000) 16 APPROPRIATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE A GRANT IN THE SAME 17 [MANNER AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (2). IF THE 18 SUM PROVIDED IN THIS CLAUSE IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PAY IN FULL THE 19 TOTAL AMOUNT TO WHICH A QUALIFYING AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL 20 SCHOOL IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE, THE ALLOCATION SHALL BE 21 PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO BRING THE 22 AGGREGATE OF THE ALLOCATIONS WITHIN THE LIMIT OF THE AMOUNT 23 PROVIDED IN THIS CLAUSE] AMOUNT AS THE AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL 24 SCHOOL WAS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FOR THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR. 25 * * * 26 SECTION 1504-A. HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING.--(A) THE 27 DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION SHALL ESTABLISH 28 MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO PROVIDE DIRECTION AND OVERSIGHT AND TO 29 DISTRIBUTE FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE RESEARCHING, PLANNING AND 30 DEVELOPMENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION NETWORK WHICH CAN 19970S0494B1913 - 30 -
1 INCLUDE WHEN APPROPRIATE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING 2 FOCUS AREAS: 3 (1) DOCUMENTING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, 4 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EXISTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS 5 NETWORKS, VIDEO CONFERENCING CAPABILITIES AND DISTANCE EDUCATION 6 COURSES AND IDENTIFYING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES THAT 7 CAN BE LEVERAGED FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION NETWORK. 8 (2) ESTABLISHING TECHNOLOGY [INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT] 9 GRANTS TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND IMPLEMENT PENNSYLVANIA 10 EDUCATION NETWORK STRATEGIES AND CONNECTIVITY BY USING COMPETING 11 TECHNOLOGIES AND METHODOLOGIES. 12 (I) FUNDS FOR [INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT] GRANTS SHALL BE 13 DISTRIBUTED THROUGH [A GRANT] AN APPLICATION AT SUCH TIME AND IN 14 SUCH FORM AS THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MAY REQUIRE. 15 (II) APPLICANTS MAY INCLUDE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS 16 OF HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCILS, NOT-FOR- 17 PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND ANY OTHER ENTITY 18 APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. 19 (III) PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO APPLICATIONS CONSISTING OF 20 PARTNERSHIPS. 21 (3) IMPLEMENTING A SHARED STATEWIDE VISION AND STRATEGIC 22 PLAN FOR BUILDING THE PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION NETWORK. 23 (4) DEVELOPING METHODS AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE EDUCATORS ARE 24 ABLE TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVELY WITH THE CURRICULUM. 25 * * * 26 SECTION 10. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 27 SECTION 1505-A. TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND 28 SERVICES.--(A) THE PURPOSES OF THE TECHNOLOGY GRANTS TO BENEFIT 29 STUDENTS IN NONPUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE TO: 30 (1) IMPROVE THE EDUCATION PENNSYLVANIA'S NONPUBLIC AND 19970S0494B1913 - 31 -
1 PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE. 2 (2) INCREASE NONPUBLIC AND PRIVATE STUDENTS' ACCESS TO 3 WORLDWIDE INFORMATION, EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH 4 TECHNOLOGY. 5 (3) PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE 6 NONPUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN USE TECHNOLOGY 7 EFFECTIVELY WITH THE CURRICULUM. 8 (4) COMPLEMENT LINK-TO-LEARN'S EFFORTS AND ADD VALUE TO THE 9 PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION NETWORK BY FORGING COLLABORATIVE 10 PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 11 (5) COMPLEMENT FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES. 12 (B) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH INTERMEDIATE UNITS 13 SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO PURCHASE COMPUTER HARDWARE, 14 SOFTWARE, CONNECTIVITY AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY TO LOAN THEM TO 15 ALL CHILDREN RESIDING IN THIS COMMONWEALTH WHO ARE ENROLLED IN 16 GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE OF A NONPUBLIC AND PRIVATE 17 SCHOOL AND MAY PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. 18 THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL ESTABLISH A PER CAPITA FORMULA 19 BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS IN NONPUBLIC AND 20 PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EACH INTERMEDIATE UNIT. FUNDS SHALL BE 21 ALLOCATED TO INTERMEDIATE UNITS WHO SHALL PURCHASE AND LOAN THE 22 EQUIPMENT TO SUCH CHILDREN AND MAY PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL 23 DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES SHALL NOT BE 24 USED FOR SECTARIAN PURPOSES. 25 SECTION 11. SECTION 1913-A(B)(1.4)(III) OF THE ACT, AMENDED 26 JUNE 25, 1997 (P.L.297, NO.30), IS AMENDED TO READ: 27 SECTION 1913-A. FINANCIAL PROGRAM; REIMBURSEMENT OR 28 PAYMENTS.--* * * 29 (B) * * * 30 (1.4) THE EQUIVALENT FULL-TIME STUDENT REIMBURSEMENT OF A 19970S0494B1913 - 32 -
1 COMMUNITY COLLEGE SHALL BE THE SUM OF CREDIT COURSE, NONCREDIT 2 COURSE AND STIPEND REIMBURSEMENTS. THESE REIMBURSEMENTS SHALL BE 3 CALCULATED USING A REIMBURSEMENT FACTOR OF ONE THOUSAND AND 4 FORTY DOLLARS ($1,040) FOR THE 1993-1994 FISCAL YEAR, OF ONE 5 THOUSAND EIGHTY DOLLARS ($1,080) FOR THE 1994-1995 FISCAL YEAR 6 AND OF ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DOLLARS ($1,180) FOR THE 7 1995-1996 FISCAL YEAR AND ONE THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED AND TEN 8 DOLLARS ($1,210) FOR THE 1996-1997 FISCAL YEAR AND ONE THOUSAND 9 TWO HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($1,260) FOR THE 1997-1998 FISCAL YEAR 10 AND FOR EACH YEAR THEREAFTER AND SHALL BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS: 11 * * * 12 (III) STIPEND REIMBURSEMENT ON ACCOUNT OF A COMMUNITY 13 COLLEGE'S OPERATING COSTS FOR ALL EQUIVALENT FULL-TIME STUDENTS 14 ENROLLED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF TWO-YEAR OR LESS THAN 15 TWO-YEAR OCCUPATIONAL OR TECHNICAL PROGRAMS, SHALL BE THE SUM OF 16 THE FOLLOWING: 17 (A) ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($1,100) PER FULL-TIME 18 EQUIVALENT STUDENT ENROLLED IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. FOR 19 THE FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996 [AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER], 1996-1997 20 AND 1997-1998, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED AT ONE 21 THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($1,175) PER FULL-TIME 22 EQUIVALENT STUDENT ENROLLED IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. FOR 23 THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-1999 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE 24 REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED AT ONE THOUSAND FOUR 25 HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($1,460) PER FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT 26 ENROLLED IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 27 PROGRAMS ARE PROGRAMS USING NEW OR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES WHICH 28 HOLD PROMISE FOR CREATING NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING SUCH 29 FIELDS AS ROBOTICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY, SPECIALIZED MATERIALS AND 30 ENGINEERING AND ENGINEERING-RELATED PROGRAMS. 19970S0494B1913 - 33 -
1 (B) ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) PER FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT 2 STUDENT ENROLLED IN PROGRAMS DESIGNATED AS STATEWIDE PROGRAMS. 3 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996 [AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER], 1996- 4 1997 AND 1997-1998, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED 5 AT ONE THOUSAND SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($1,075) PER FULL-TIME 6 EQUIVALENT STUDENT ENROLLED IN PROGRAMS DESIGNATED AS STATEWIDE 7 PROGRAMS. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-1999 AND EACH YEAR 8 THEREAFTER, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED AT ONE 9 THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($1,360) PER FULL-TIME 10 EQUIVALENT STUDENT ENROLLED IN PROGRAMS DESIGNATED AS STATEWIDE 11 PROGRAMS. A STATEWIDE PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM WHICH MEETS ONE OR 12 MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: 13 (I) PROGRAM ENROLLMENT FROM OUT-OF-SPONSOR AREA IS TWENTY 14 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE ENROLLMENT FOR THE PROGRAM. 15 (II) A CONSORTIAL ARRANGEMENT EXISTS WITH ANOTHER COMMUNITY 16 COLLEGE TO COOPERATIVELY OPERATE A PROGRAM OR SHARE REGIONS IN 17 ORDER TO AVOID UNNECESSARY PROGRAM DUPLICATION. 18 (C) FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500) PER FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT 19 STUDENT ENROLLED IN OTHER OCCUPATIONAL OR TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. 20 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996 [AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER], 1996- 21 1997 AND 1997-1998, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED 22 AT FIVE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($575) PER FULL-TIME 23 EQUIVALENT STUDENT ENROLLED IN OTHER OCCUPATIONAL OR TECHNICAL 24 PROGRAMS. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-1999 AND EACH YEAR 25 THEREAFTER, THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE SHALL BE CALCULATED AT EIGHT 26 HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($860) PER FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT 27 ENROLLED IN OTHER OCCUPATIONAL OR TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. 28 * * * 29 SECTION 12. SECTION 2003-A.1(C) OF THE ACT, AMENDED JULY 11, 30 1990 (P.L.424, NO.103), IS AMENDED TO READ: 19970S0494B1913 - 34 -
1 SECTION 2003-A.1. PROJECT CONTRACTS.--* * * 2 (C) ALL CONTRACTS, OTHER THAN CONTRACTS FOR THE RETENTION OF 3 ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS, AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION WHICH 4 EXCEED [FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000)] TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS 5 ($10,000), SHALL BE ADVERTISED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW AND 6 COMPETITIVELY BID AND AWARDED TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE BIDDER. 7 IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION 8 OF THIS SECTION TO THE CONTRARY, THE CHANCELLOR MAY MAKE OR 9 AUTHORIZE OTHERS TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT WHENEVER A 10 THREAT EXISTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE OR SAFETY OR 11 CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE STATE SYSTEM AND 12 CREATES AN URGENCY OF NEED WHICH DOES NOT PERMIT THE DELAY 13 INVOLVED IN USING MORE FORMAL COMPETITIVE METHODS. WHENEVER 14 PRACTICAL, IN THE CASE OF A PROCUREMENT OF A SUPPLY, AT LEAST 15 TWO (2) BIDS SHALL BE SOLICITED. A WRITTEN DETERMINATION OF THE 16 BASIS FOR THE EMERGENCY AND FOR THE SELECTION OF THE PARTICULAR 17 CONTRACTOR SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT FILE. 18 * * * 19 SECTION 13. SECTION 2006-A(A) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED BY 20 ADDING A CLAUSE TO READ: 21 SECTION 2006-A. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF 22 GOVERNORS.--(A) THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS SHALL HAVE OVERALL 23 RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANNING AND COORDINATING THE DEVELOPMENT AND 24 OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF 25 GOVERNORS SHALL BE: 26 * * * 27 (13.1) TO SET THE AMOUNTS FOR FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF RULES 28 RESPECTING THE USE, PARKING AND OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES ON 29 SYSTEM FACILITIES, WHICH MAY BE ESTABLISHED TO EXCEED THE 30 AMOUNTS WHICH MUNICIPALITIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO ASSESS FOR SUCH 19970S0494B1913 - 35 -
1 OFFENSES UNDER 75 PA.C.S. (RELATING TO VEHICLES). 2 * * * 3 SECTION 14. SECTION 2010-A(10) OF THE ACT, ADDED NOVEMBER 4 12, 1982 (P.L.660, NO.188), IS AMENDED TO READ: 5 SECTION 2010-A. POWER AND DUTIES OF INSTITUTION 6 PRESIDENTS.--THE PRESIDENT OF EACH INSTITUTION SHALL BE 7 APPOINTED BY THE BOARD. THE PRESIDENT SHALL BE THE CHIEF 8 EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THAT INSTITUTION. HE SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT 9 TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF THAT INSTITUTION AND 10 SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK ON ALL MATTERS BEFORE THE COUNCIL 11 BUT NOT TO VOTE. SUBJECT TO THE STATED AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD 12 AND THE COUNCIL, EACH PRESIDENT SHALL HAVE THE [POWER AND HIS 13 DUTIES SHALL BE] FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES: 14 * * * 15 (10) WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE OPERATING BUDGET AND 16 OTHER AVAILABLE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES 17 ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LOCAL 18 COUNCIL, TO NEGOTIATE AND AWARD ALL CONTRACTS FOR EQUIPMENT, 19 SERVICES AND SUPPLIES IN EXCESS OF A COST OF [FIVE THOUSAND 20 DOLLARS ($5,000)] TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000), ON A 21 COMPETITIVE BID BASIS AND TO PURCHASE INSTRUCTIONAL, 22 EDUCATIONAL, EXTRACURRICULAR, TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, 23 CUSTODIAL AND MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES NOT IN EXCESS 24 OF A COST OF [FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($5,000)] TEN THOUSAND 25 DOLLARS ($10,000) WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDDING, EXCEPT THAT SUCH 26 ITEMS SHALL NOT BE BOUGHT IN SERIES TO AVOID THE DOLLAR CEILING. 27 * * * 28 SECTION 15. SECTION 2501(21) OF THE ACT, ADDED JUNE 7, 1993 29 (P.L.49, NO.16), IS AMENDED TO READ: 30 SECTION 2501. DEFINITIONS.--FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 19970S0494B1913 - 36 -
1 THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS: 2 * * * 3 (21) "CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES." CHILDREN AGED FIVE 4 (5) TO SEVENTEEN (17) YEARS, INCLUSIVE, IN FAMILIES RECEIVING A 5 GRANT IN EXCESS OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000) PER YEAR FROM 6 THE COMMONWEALTH ON ACCOUNT OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN [UNDER THE 7 SOCIAL SECURITY ACT (49 STAT. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 301 ET SEQ.)] 8 PURSUANT TO TITLE IV OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, AS AMENDED (42 9 U.S.C. § 601, ET SEQ.). 10 * * * 11 SECTION 16. SECTION 2502.13 OF THE ACT, AMENDED JUNE 30, 12 1995 (P.L.220, NO.26), IS AMENDED TO READ: 13 SECTION 2502.13. SMALL DISTRICT ASSISTANCE.--FOR THE 1984- 14 1985 AND 1985-1986 SCHOOL YEARS, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO 15 EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF 16 ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) OR LESS AND HAS A MARKET 17 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) 18 OR GREATER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIFTY DOLLARS ($50) MULTIPLIED BY 19 THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP. FOR THE 1985-1986 20 SCHOOL YEAR, NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE LESS ON ACCOUNT OF 21 THIS SECTION THAN IT DID FOR THE 1984-1985 SCHOOL YEAR. FOR THE 22 SCHOOL YEAR 1986-1987, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL 23 DISTRICT WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND 24 FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) OR LESS AND HAS A MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID 25 RATIO OF FIVE THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) OR GREATER, OR 26 RECEIVED PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE 1985-1986 SCHOOL 27 YEAR, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($75) MULTIPLIED 28 BY THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 29 1987-1988, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT 30 WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE 19970S0494B1913 - 37 -
1 HUNDRED (1,500) OR LESS AND A MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF 2 FIVE THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) OR GREATER, OR RECEIVED 3 PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE 1986-1987 SCHOOL YEAR, AN 4 AMOUNT EQUAL TO EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($85) MULTIPLIED BY THAT 5 DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1988- 6 1989, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH 7 HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED 8 (1,500) OR LESS AND A MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE 9 THOUSAND TEN THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) OR GREATER, OR RECEIVED 10 PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE 1987-1988 OR 1988-1989 11 SCHOOL YEAR, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED FIVE DOLLARS ($105). 12 FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1989-1990, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO 13 EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF 14 ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) OR LESS AND A MARKET 15 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) 16 OR GREATER, OR RECEIVED PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE 17 1987-1988 SCHOOL YEAR, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN 18 DOLLARS ($115) MULTIPLIED BY THE DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY 19 MEMBERSHIP AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 212 OF THE ACT OF JULY 1, 20 1990 (P.L.1591, NO.7A), KNOWN AS THE "GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT 21 OF 1990." FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1990-1991, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL 22 PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY 23 MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) OR LESS AND A 24 MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS 25 (0.5000) OR GREATER, OR RECEIVED PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR 26 THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY 27 DOLLARS ($170) MULTIPLIED BY THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY 28 MEMBERSHIP. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1990-1991, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT 29 WITH A POPULATION PER SQUARE MILE OF LESS THAN NINETY (90), 30 WHICH OTHERWISE MEETS THE AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP AND MARKET 19970S0494B1913 - 38 -
1 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION, OR RECEIVED 2 PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION FOR THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR, SHALL 3 INSTEAD RECEIVE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS 4 ($190) MULTIPLIED BY THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP. 5 FOR THE 1987-1988 SCHOOL YEAR THROUGH THE 1990-1991 SCHOOL YEAR, 6 NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE LESS ON ACCOUNT OF THIS SECTION 7 THAN IT DID FOR THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1994- 8 1995, THE COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH 9 HAS AN AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED 10 (1,500) OR LESS AND A MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE 11 THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) OR GREATER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 12 NINETY FIVE DOLLARS ($95) MULTIPLIED BY THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE 13 DAILY MEMBERSHIP. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1997-1998, THE 14 COMMONWEALTH SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH HAS AN 15 AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (1,500) OR 16 LESS AND A MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO OF FIVE THOUSAND TEN- 17 THOUSANDTHS (0.5000) OR GREATER, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO SEVENTY-FIVE 18 DOLLARS ($75) MULTIPLIED BY THAT DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY 19 MEMBERSHIP. 20 SECTION 17. SECTION 2502.30 OF THE ACT, AMENDED JULY 11, 21 1996 (P.L.633, NO.107), IS AMENDED TO READ: 22 SECTION 2502.30. TEMPORARY SPECIAL AID TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS 23 SUFFERING LOSS OF TAX REVENUE DUE TO REDUCTION IN ASSESSED 24 VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY.--(A) TEMPORARY SPECIAL AID SHALL 25 BE PAID IN FISCAL YEARS 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997 AND 26 1997-1998 TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS EXPERIENCING A SEVERE REDUCTION IN 27 LOCAL REVENUE DUE TO A DECLINE IN THE ASSESSED VALUE OF TAXABLE 28 PROPERTIES. THE ALLOCATION TO THESE DISTRICTS SHALL BE 29 DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING THE REDUCTION IN ASSESSED VALUE 30 BETWEEN 1985-1986 AND 1992-1993 BY THE 1992-1993 REAL ESTATE 19970S0494B1913 - 39 -
1 MILLAGE RATE. THIS AID SHALL BE PAID FROM UNDISTRIBUTED FUNDS 2 NOT EXPENDED, ENCUMBERED OR COMMITTED FROM APPROPRIATIONS FOR 3 GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. NO 4 OTHER FUNDS SHALL BE USED FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THIS SECTION. 5 THESE FUNDS SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF TO 6 SEVEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1995-1996 AT SEVENTY-FIVE 7 PER CENTUM (75%) OF THE FUNDS RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 1994-1995, 8 IN FISCAL YEAR 1996-1997 AT FIFTY PER CENTUM (50%) OF THE FUNDS 9 RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 1994-1995 AND IN FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998 10 AND 1998-1999 AT TWENTY-FIVE PER CENTUM (25%) OF THE FUNDS 11 RECEIVED IN FISCAL YEAR 1994-1995. THIS SECTION SHALL EXPIRE 12 OCTOBER 1, [1998] 1999. 13 (B) PAYMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (A) SHALL BE PAID 14 FROM A RESTRICTED RECEIPT ACCOUNT, WHICH IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED, 15 FOR SUCH PAYMENTS. FUNDS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED BY THE SECRETARY 16 OF THE BUDGET TO THE RESTRICTED ACCOUNT ONLY TO THE EXTENT 17 NECESSARY TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION. THE 18 MONEY IN THE RESTRICTED ACCOUNT IS HEREBY APPROPRIATED FROM THE 19 ACCOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. 20 SECTION 18. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 21 SECTION 2502.35. BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING FOR 1997-1998 22 SCHOOL YEAR.--FOR THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR, THE COMMONWEALTH 23 SHALL PAY TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT A BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING 24 ALLOCATION WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 25 (1) AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING 26 ALLOCATION FOR THE 1996-1997 SCHOOL YEAR PURSUANT TO SECTION 27 2502.33. 28 (2) A BASE SUPPLEMENT PAYABLE TO QUALIFYING SCHOOL 29 DISTRICTS. 30 (I) TO QUALIFY FOR THE BASE SUPPLEMENT, A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 19970S0494B1913 - 40 -
1 1998-1999 MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO MUST BE EQUAL TO OR 2 GREATER THAN FOUR THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.4000). 3 (II) THE BASE SUPPLEMENT IS CALCULATED FOR QUALIFYING SCHOOL 4 DISTRICTS AS FOLLOWS: MULTIPLY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 1998-1999 5 MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO TIMES ITS 1997-1998 AVERAGE DAILY 6 MEMBERSHIP; MULTIPLY THIS PRODUCT TIMES EIGHTY-FIVE MILLION FIVE 7 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($85,500,000); DIVIDE THE RESULTANT 8 PRODUCT BY THE SUM OF THE PRODUCTS OF THE 1998-1999 MARKET 9 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO TIMES THE 1997-1998 AVERAGE DAILY 10 MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL QUALIFYING DISTRICTS. 11 (3) A GROWTH SUPPLEMENT IS CALCULATED FOR QUALIFYING SCHOOL 12 DISTRICTS AS FOLLOWS: MULTIPLY THE INCREASE IN AVERAGE DAILY 13 MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE 1996-1997 AND 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEARS 14 TIMES FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS ($400). 15 (4) A POVERTY SUPPLEMENT TO QUALIFYING SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 16 (I) TO QUALIFY FOR THE POVERTY SUPPLEMENT, THE NUMBER OF 17 CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE 18 1997 CALENDAR YEAR DIVIDED BY THE DISTRICT'S AVERAGE DAILY 19 MEMBERSHIP FOR THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR MUST BE GREATER THAN OR 20 EQUAL TO TEN PER CENTUM (10%). 21 (II) THE POVERTY SUPPLEMENT IS CALCULATED FOR QUALIFYING 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY MULTIPLYING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN LOW- 23 INCOME FAMILIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2501(21) RESIDING IN THE 24 DISTRICT FOR THE 1997 CALENDAR YEAR TIMES FIFTY DOLLARS ($50). 25 (5) EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE GUARANTEED A MINIMUM 26 INCREASE TO BE CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS: 27 (I) EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A 1998-1999 MARKET 28 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN SEVEN THOUSAND 29 TEN-THOUSANDTHS (0.7000) WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, AS 30 NECESSARY, SO THAT THE SUM OF THE AMOUNTS IN CLAUSES (2), (3), 19970S0494B1913 - 41 -
1 (4) AND (5) WILL EQUAL AT LEAST FOUR PER CENTUM (4%) OF THE 2 AMOUNT IN CLAUSE (1). 3 (II) EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A 1998-1999 MARKET 4 VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO LESS THAN SEVEN THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS 5 (0.7000) WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, AS NECESSARY, SO THAT 6 THE SUM OF THE AMOUNTS IN CLAUSES (2), (3), (4) AND (5) WILL 7 EQUAL AT LEAST ONE PER CENTUM (1%) OF THE AMOUNT IN CLAUSE (1). 8 SECTION 19. SECTION 2509.1(D)(4) OF THE ACT, AMENDED JUNE 9 25, 1997 (P.L.297, NO.30), IS AMENDED AND THE SECTION IS AMENDED 10 BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ: 11 SECTION 2509.1. PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIATE UNITS.--* * * 12 (B.6) UP TO NINE MILLION DOLLARS ($9,000,000) MAY BE 13 UTILIZED FOR PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED AND OPERATED DURING THE 1998- 14 1999 SCHOOL YEAR FOR INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILDREN BY INTERMEDIATE 15 UNITS AS ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION (B.1). 16 * * * 17 (D) * * * 18 [(4) FOR THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH INTERMEDIATE UNIT 19 WHICH IS COTERMINOUS TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS OR 20 FIRST CLASS A SHALL BE PAID A PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF TEN MILLION 21 THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,300,000) BASED ON THE AMOUNT 22 RECEIVED BY THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT FOR THE COST OF OPERATING AND 23 ADMINISTERING CLASSES OR SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN WITH 24 EXCEPTIONALITIES, AS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR 25 THE 1990-1991 SCHOOL YEAR.] 26 * * * 27 SECTION 20. SECTION 2509.3 OF THE ACT, AMENDED JUNE 30, 1995 28 (P.L.220, NO.26), IS AMENDED TO READ: 29 SECTION 2509.3. PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF TRANSPORTATION OF 30 NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS.--EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT, REGARDLESS OF 19970S0494B1913 - 42 -
1 CLASSIFICATION, SHALL BE PAID BY THE COMMONWEALTH THE SUM OF 2 THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($35) FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL 3 TRANSPORTED IN THE SCHOOL YEAR 1978-1979 THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR 4 1983-1984. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1984-1985 THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR 5 1989-1990, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE PAID THE SUM OF SEVENTY 6 DOLLARS ($70) FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTED. FOR 7 THE SCHOOL YEARS 1990-1991 AND 1991-1992, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 SHALL BE PAID THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS ($124) 9 FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTED. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 10 1992-1993 AND THE 1993-1994 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT 11 SHALL BE PAID THE SUM OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE DOLLARS ($159) 12 FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTED. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 13 1994-1995 [AND EACH SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER,] THROUGH THE SCHOOL 14 YEAR 1996-1997, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE PAID THE SUM OF 15 TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200) FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL PUPIL 16 TRANSPORTED. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1997-1998 AND EACH SCHOOL YEAR 17 THEREAFTER, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE PAID THE SUM OF TWO 18 HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($285) FOR EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL 19 PUPIL TRANSPORTED. 20 SECTION 21. SECTION 2509.5 OF THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING 21 SUBSECTIONS TO READ: 22 SECTION 2509.5. SPECIAL EDUCATION PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL 23 DISTRICTS.--* * * 24 (P) DURING THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT 25 SHALL BE PAID: 26 (1) AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING FIFTEEN 27 PERCENT (15%) OF ITS SCHOOL-AGE AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP BY ONE 28 THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS ($1,260); AND 29 (2) AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING ONE PERCENT 30 (1%) OF ITS SCHOOL-AGE AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP BY THIRTEEN 19970S0494B1913 - 43 -
1 THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($13,955). 2 (Q) DURING THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, A PORTION OF THE FUNDS 3 APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL 4 EDUCATION SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR 5 SPECIAL EDUCATION TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH OPERATE SPECIAL 6 EDUCATION PROGRAMS. ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT QUALIFY UNDER THE 7 PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (R) WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS 8 SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. 9 (R) SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL QUALIFY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS 10 UNDER SUBSECTION (Q) IF: 11 (1) (I) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SPECIAL EDUCATION 12 EXPENDITURES FOR THE 1995-1996 SCHOOL YEAR, AS A PERCENTAGE OF 13 THE SUM OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 1995-1996 SCHOOL YEAR 14 EXPENDITURES FOR REGULAR EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL 15 EDUCATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE 16 SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPENDITURES OF ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE 17 1995-1996 SCHOOL YEAR, AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM OF THE 1995- 18 1996 SCHOOL YEAR EXPENDITURES OF ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR 19 REGULAR EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SPECIAL 20 EDUCATION; AND 21 (II) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO FOR 22 THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN SIX 23 THOUSAND TEN-THOUSANDTHS (.6000); AND 24 (III) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S EQUALIZED MILLAGE FOR THE 1995- 25 1996 SCHOOL YEAR IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN TWENTY-ONE (21.0); 26 OR 27 (2) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SATISFIES THE CRITERION SET FORTH IN 28 SUBSECTION (R)(1)(I), DOES NOT SATISFY THE CRITERION SET FORTH 29 IN SUBSECTION (R)(1)(II) BUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S EQUALIZED 30 MILLAGE FOR THE 1995-1996 SCHOOL YEAR IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER 19970S0494B1913 - 44 -
1 THAN TWENTY-FIVE (25.0); OR 2 (3) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT SATISFY THE CRITERIA OF 3 SUBSECTIONS (R)(1) OR (2) BUT DOES SATISFY THE FOLLOWING: 4 (I) THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES 5 AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2501(21) FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1996 IS EQUAL 6 TO OR GREATER THAN THIRTEEN PERCENT (13%) OF THE SCHOOL 7 DISTRICT'S 1996-1997 SCHOOL YEAR AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP; AND 8 (II) THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S MARKET VALUE/INCOME AID RATIO FOR 9 THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN FIVE 10 THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TEN THOUSANDTHS (.5500). 11 (S) QUALIFYING SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 12 TWENTY PERCENT (20%) OF THE AMOUNT CALCULATED AT SUBSECTION 13 (P)(1) OF THIS SECTION. THIS AMOUNT SHALL BE PAID PURSUANT TO 14 THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 15 SECTION. DURING THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, HOWEVER, NO SCHOOL 16 DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE LESS PAYMENT UNDER SUBSECTION (P) AND 17 SUBSECTION (R) THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE PAYMENTS THE SCHOOL 18 DISTRICT RECEIVED DURING THE 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR UNDER 19 SUBSECTIONS (L) AND (M) OF THIS SECTION. 20 (T) ADDITIONALLY, DURING THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH 21 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS OR FIRST CLASS A BELONGING TO 22 AN INTERMEDIATE UNIT THE BOUNDARY OF WHICH IS COTERMINUS WITH 23 THAT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL RECEIVE A PROPORTIONATE SHARE 24 OF TEN MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,300,000) 25 BASED ON THE AMOUNT RECEIVED BY ITS COTERMINUS INTERMEDIATE UNIT 26 FOR THE COST OF OPERATING AND ADMINISTERING CLASSES OR SCHOOLS 27 FOR STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES, AS APPROVED BY THE 28 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE 1990-1991 SCHOOL YEAR. THIS 29 AMOUNT WILL BE ADDED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PAYMENT UNDER 30 SUBSECTION (Q). PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT DURING THE 1998-1999 19970S0494B1913 - 45 -
1 SCHOOL YEAR, NO SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS OR FIRST 2 CLASS A WILL RECEIVE LESS PAYMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION AND 3 SUBSECTION (Q) THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE PAYMENTS THE SCHOOL 4 DISTRICT'S COTERMINUS INTERMEDIATE UNIT RECEIVED DURING THE 5 1997-1998 SCHOOL YEAR UNDER SECTION 2509.1(D)(3). 6 SECTION 22. SECTION 2595 OF THE ACT, REPEALED JUNE 25, 1997 7 (P.L.297, NO.30), IS REENACTED AND AMENDED TO READ: 8 SECTION 2595. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES.--[(A) THE 9 PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF SCHOOL 10 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES TO REWARD SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL 11 IMPROVEMENTS, TO EVOKE FURTHER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT 12 AND TO FOSTER COLLEGIAL PARTICIPATION BY SCHOOL EMPLOYES IN 13 IMPROVING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. 14 (B) ANY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SECONDARY SCHOOL OR AREA 15 VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 16 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM. 17 (C) (1) SCHOOL PERFORMANCE WILL BE DETERMINED BY 18 IMPROVEMENTS IN STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENT USING THE FOLLOWING 19 CRITERIA: 20 (I) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AS MEASURED BY PERFORMANCE ON TESTS 21 DEVELOPED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD THROUGH REGULATION AND 22 PURSUANT TO THIS ACT; 23 (II) DROPOUT RATES AS MEASURED BY THE INCREASE IN THE 24 PROPORTION OF STUDENTS CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION IN GRADES 25 SEVEN THROUGH TWELVE; OR 26 (III) STUDENTS PREPARED TO GO ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION AS 27 MEASURED BY AN INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF HIGH SCHOOL 28 STUDENTS TAKING THE SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TESTS AND AN INCREASE IN 29 THE AVERAGE SCORES ON SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TESTS. 30 (2) IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SHALL BE CALCULATED 19970S0494B1913 - 46 -
1 ON PERFORMANCE LEVELS DURING THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE YEAR IN WHICH 2 INCENTIVE PAYMENTS ARE MADE COMPARED TO PERFORMANCE LEVELS 3 DURING EITHER THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEAR OR THE AVERAGE OF 4 THE TWO IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YEARS. 5 (3) ALL DATA SUBMISSIONS FROM THE SCHOOLS SHALL BE SUBJECT 6 TO AUDIT, AND ANY INCENTIVE PAYMENT AMOUNTS SUBSEQUENTLY 7 DETERMINED TO BE EXCESSIVE DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE DATA SHALL BE 8 DEDUCTED FROM SUBSEQUENT EQUALIZED SUBSIDY FOR BASIC EDUCATION 9 PAYMENTS. 10 (4) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL MONITOR AND EVALUATE 11 THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SCHOOLS AND SHALL ANNUALLY 12 DETERMINE AND PUBLISH THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 13 IMPROVEMENT FOR SCHOOLS TO BE AWARDED INCENTIVE PAYMENTS. 14 BEGINNING WITH PAYMENTS TO BE MADE DURING THE 1990-1991 FISCAL 15 YEAR, ANY REVISIONS SHALL BE PROPOSED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 16 OF THE FISCAL YEAR PRIOR TO THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE 17 INCENTIVE PAYMENTS ARE TO BE DISTRIBUTED. 18 (D) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL AWARD ON ACCOUNT OF 19 EACH SCHOOL THAT MEETS THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 20 IMPROVEMENT AN AMOUNT DETERMINED BY DIVIDING THE TOTAL FULL-TIME 21 EQUIVALENT PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES OF THE QUALIFYING SCHOOLS INTO 22 THE AMOUNT ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED FOR THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE 23 INCENTIVES. ALL AWARDS SHALL BE LIMITED TO FUNDS APPROPRIATED 24 FOR THIS PURPOSE. THE INCENTIVE AWARDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO 25 THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT 26 PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES AT THE QUALIFYING SCHOOL. EACH SCHOOL 27 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE IN A SINGLE PAYMENT, 28 AND THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL DRAW HIS REQUISITION UPON 29 THE STATE TREASURER IN FAVOR OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH 30 QUALIFYING SCHOOLS. 19970S0494B1913 - 47 -
1 (E) (1) INCENTIVE FUNDS SHALL BE PAID TO THE SCHOOL 2 DISTRICT FOR USE ONLY BY SCHOOLS WHICH QUALIFY PURSUANT TO 3 SUBSECTION (C). PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH 4 QUALIFYING SCHOOLS MAY BE APPLIED TO ONE OR MORE OF THE 5 FOLLOWING USES: 6 (I) TEACHING MATERIALS, INCLUDING BOOKS, AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS 7 AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE. 8 (II) INITIATIVES WHICH REACH TO FAMILIES TO EVOKE HOME 9 SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL AND OTHERWISE INVOLVE FAMILIES 10 IN THE SCHOOL. 11 (III) ASSISTANCE IN THE INTRODUCTION OR ADVANCEMENT OF 12 CURRICULAR AND INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. 13 (IV) OTHER USES REASONABLY EXPECTED TO IMPROVE SCHOOL 14 PERFORMANCE OR TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING OR THE 15 EDUCATIONAL CLIMATE OF THE SCHOOL. 16 (2) USES OF INCENTIVE FUNDS, AS PROVIDED FOR IN CLAUSE (1) 17 OF THIS SUBSECTION, IN EACH SCHOOL SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE 18 REGULAR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME SCHOOL EMPLOYES IN THE SCHOOL 19 THROUGH A SELECTION PROCESS OF THEIR CHOICE. 20 (F) INCENTIVE FUNDS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL 21 BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT TO SUPPLANT ANY OTHER SOURCES OF 22 FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE QUALIFYING SCHOOLS AND THE 23 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF SUCH SCHOOLS. 24 (G) (1) EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVING A SCHOOL PERFORMANCE 25 INCENTIVE PAYMENT SHALL REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION NO 26 LATER THAN OCTOBER 31 OF THE FISCAL YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR IN 27 WHICH SUCH FUNDS WERE EXPENDED ON THE USE OF THE FUNDS, THE 28 RESULTS OF THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE 29 FISCAL EFFORT ON BEHALF OF QUALIFYING SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF SUCH 30 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. REPORTS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AS PROVIDED FOR 19970S0494B1913 - 48 -
1 IN THIS SUBSECTION, SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN A FORM DETERMINED BY 2 THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. 3 (2) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL FILE A REPORT BY THE 4 END OF THE 1998-1999 FISCAL YEAR AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER WITH 5 THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE 6 EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE A REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF 7 THE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES PROGRAM PROVIDED FOR HEREIN, 8 INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE SELECTION 9 CRITERIA. 10 (3) BY SEPTEMBER 15, 1992, THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL 11 REPORT TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MINORITY CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION 12 COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND TO THE CHAIRMAN 13 AND MINORITY CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE 14 ON: THE IDENTIFICATION OF EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 15 INITIATED IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS WHICH RESULTED IN SUPERIOR 16 PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT; RECOMMENDATIONS OF METHODS OF 17 ENCOURAGING REPLICATION OF THESE PROGRAMS; AND EVALUATION AND 18 RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHETHER THESE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE CONTINUED OR 19 ALTERED. 20 (H) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO DEPRIVE 21 ANY EMPLOYE, ANY EMPLOYE ORGANIZATION OR ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYER OF 22 ANY RIGHTS, INCLUDING RIGHTS OF REPRESENTATION, ENJOYED UNDER 23 THE ACT OF JULY 23, 1970 (P.L.563, NO.195), KNOWN AS THE "PUBLIC 24 EMPLOYE RELATIONS ACT," OR UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.] 25 (A) THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF 26 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES TO REWARD SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL 27 IMPROVEMENTS, TO EVOKE FURTHER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT 28 AND TO FOSTER COLLEGIAL PARTICIPATION BY SCHOOL EMPLOYES IN 29 IMPROVING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE. 30 (B) ANY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SECONDARY SCHOOL OR AREA 19970S0494B1913 - 49 -
1 VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM. 3 (C) (1) SCHOOL PERFORMANCE WILL BE DETERMINED BY 4 IMPROVEMENTS IN STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENT USING THE FOLLOWING 5 CRITERIA: 6 (I) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AS MEASURED BY PERFORMANCE ON 7 ASSESSMENTS DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR BY THE STATE BOARD OF 8 EDUCATION THROUGH REGULATION AND PURSUANT TO THIS ACT; 9 (II) GRADUATION RATES AS MEASURED BY THE INCREASE IN THE 10 PROPORTION OF STUDENTS CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION IN GRADES NINE 11 THROUGH TWELVE; 12 (III) ATTENDANCE RATES AS MEASURED BY AN INCREASE IN THE 13 PROPORTION OF STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL ON A REGULAR BASIS; OR 14 (IV) RATES OF EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO THE TRAINING RECEIVED BY 15 AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL GRADUATES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS AN 16 OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCY TESTING PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED AND WHICH 17 MEETS THE MEASUREMENT REQUIREMENTS IN THIS SECTION. 18 (2) IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SHALL BE CALCULATED 19 ON PERFORMANCE LEVELS COMPARING THE ASSESSMENT RESULTS FROM ONE 20 SCHOOL YEAR TO THE AVERAGE OF TWO OR MORE YEARS, AS DETERMINED 21 BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. 22 (3) ALL DATA SUBMISSIONS FROM THE SCHOOLS SHALL BE SUBJECT 23 TO AUDIT, AND ANY INCENTIVE PAYMENT AMOUNTS SUBSEQUENTLY 24 DETERMINED TO BE EXCESSIVE DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE DATA SHALL BE 25 DEDUCTED FROM SUBSEQUENT BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING PAYMENTS. 26 (4) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL MONITOR AND EVALUATE 27 THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SCHOOLS AND SHALL ANNUALLY 28 DETERMINE AND PUBLISH THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 29 IMPROVEMENT FOR SCHOOLS TO BE AWARDED INCENTIVE PAYMENTS. 30 (D) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL AWARD ON ACCOUNT OF 19970S0494B1913 - 50 -
1 EACH SCHOOL THAT MEETS THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE 2 IMPROVEMENT AN AMOUNT DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING THE NUMBER OF 3 STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL BY THE FIXED AMOUNT PER STUDENT 4 ESTABLISHED ANNUALLY WHEN THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE SCHOOL 5 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES FUNDING IS ESTABLISHED. ALL AWARDS SHALL 6 BE LIMITED TO FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THIS PURPOSE. THE INCENTIVE 7 AWARDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BASED ON THE 8 NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE QUALIFYING SCHOOL OCTOBER 1 9 OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD WAS MET. 10 EACH SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE IN A 11 SINGLE PAYMENT, AND THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL DRAW HIS 12 REQUISITION UPON THE STATE TREASURER IN FAVOR OF EACH SCHOOL 13 DISTRICT WITH QUALIFYING SCHOOLS. 14 (E) (1) INCENTIVE FUNDS SHALL BE PAID TO THE SCHOOL 15 DISTRICT FOR USE ONLY BY SCHOOLS WHICH QUALIFY PURSUANT TO 16 SUBSECTION (C). PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH 17 QUALIFYING SCHOOLS MAY BE APPLIED TO ONE OR MORE OF THE 18 FOLLOWING USES: 19 (I) INSTRUCTIONAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS, INCLUDING, BUT 20 NOT LIMITED TO, TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY HOLDINGS, LABORATORY 21 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES; COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS 22 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES; FACILITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES 23 FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT. 24 (II) INITIATIVES WHICH INVOLVE PARENTS AND FAMILIES IN THE 25 SCHOOL. 26 (III) ASSISTANCE IN THE INTRODUCTION OR ADVANCEMENT OF 27 CURRICULAR AND INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS. 28 (IV) OTHER USES REASONABLY EXPECTED TO IMPROVE SCHOOL 29 PERFORMANCE OR TO ENHANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL. 30 (V) AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE AMOUNT RECEIVED MUST 19970S0494B1913 - 51 -
1 BE SPENT ON THE PLANNING, DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT OF THE 2 SCHOOL'S INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, INCLUDING STAFF DEVELOPMENT FOR 3 THESE PURPOSES. 4 (VI) NO MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) OF THE TOTAL 5 RECEIVED FOR THE QUALIFYING SCHOOL SHALL BE FOR DIRECT PAYMENTS 6 TO THE PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES OF THE SCHOOL. 7 (2) USES OF INCENTIVE FUNDS, AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (1) OF 8 THIS SUBSECTION, IN EACH SCHOOL SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A 9 COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL AND COMPOSED OF 10 TEACHERS, SUPPORT PERSONNEL, PARENTS, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS 11 REPRESENTATIVES. 12 (F) INCENTIVE FUNDS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL 13 BE USED TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT TO SUPPLANT ANY OTHER SOURCES OF 14 FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF QUALIFYING SCHOOLS AND THE 15 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF SUCH SCHOOLS. 16 (G) (1) EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE OR MORE SCHOOLS 17 RECEIVING A SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT SHALL REPORT TO 18 THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 31 OF THE 19 FISCAL YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR IN WHICH SUCH FUNDS WERE EXPENDED 20 ON THE USE OF THE FUNDS, THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF SUCH FUNDS 21 AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE FISCAL EFFORT ON BEHALF OF THE 22 QUALIFIED SCHOOL BUILDINGS OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS. REPORTS BY 23 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SUBSECTION, SHALL BE 24 SUBMITTED IN A FORM DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. 25 (2) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SHALL FILE A REPORT BY THE 26 END OF 1998-1999 FISCAL YEAR AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER WITH THE 27 EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF 28 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF THE 29 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES PROGRAM PROVIDED FOR HEREIN, 30 INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE SELECTION 19970S0494B1913 - 52 -
1 CRITERIA. 2 (H) NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO 3 SUPERSEDE OR PREEMPT ANY PROVISIONS OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 4 AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BY A SCHOOL AND THE EMPLOYE ORGANIZATION 5 DISTRICT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT OR AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL 6 THAT IS IN EFFECT ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. 7 SECTION 23. SECTION 2598 OF THE ACT IS REPEALED. 8 SECTION 24. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 9 SECTION 2599. ADMINISTRATIVE/INSTRUCTIONAL CONSOLIDATION 10 INCENTIVES.--(A) THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO ESTABLISH A 11 PROGRAM OF INCENTIVES TO SCHOOL ENTITIES TO ENCOURAGE GREATER 12 EFFICIENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF 13 ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING. 14 (B) ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL, 15 INTERMEDIATE UNIT OR JOINT SCHOOL IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN 16 THE CONSOLIDATION INCENTIVES PROGRAM AND SHALL BE CONSIDERED A 17 SCHOOL ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION. 18 (C) FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY TO PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE THE 19 PARTICIPATION OF TWO OR MORE SCHOOL ENTITIES. FUNDING WILL BE 20 PROVIDED FOR PROGRAMS WHICH ARE INITIATED AFTER JULY 1, 1998. 21 (D) (1) FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE 22 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS. PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED BY A 23 TEAM OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND NONDEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. THE 24 EVALUATIONS WILL BE COMPLETED AND FUNDS AWARDED IN THE SECOND 25 SEMESTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FOLLOWING THE SUBMISSION OF A 26 PROPOSAL. 27 (2) FUNDS MAY BE AWARDED FOR TWO YEARS. SCHOOL ENTITIES MAY 28 BE AWARDED UP TO FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF THE SAVINGS THE FIRST 29 YEAR. THE AWARD IN THE SECOND YEAR MAY BE UP TO ONE-HALF OF THE 30 AMOUNT OF THE FIRST YEAR'S AWARD. 19970S0494B1913 - 53 -
1 (3) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL ESTABLISH GENERAL 2 CRITERIA FOR QUALIFYING FOR THESE FUNDS: 3 (I) FOR RATING PURPOSES, SAVINGS WILL BE CALCULATED AS A 4 PERCENTAGE OF THE APPLICABLE PART OF THE BUDGETS OF THE ENTITIES 5 INVOLVED IN THE CONSOLIDATION; 6 (II) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL ESTABLISH MULTIPLE 7 CATEGORIES TO ALLOW FOR AWARDS BASED ON THE SIZE AND VARIETY OF 8 PROPOSALS; 9 (III) AWARDS FOR CONSOLIDATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 10 MUST RESULT IN THE REDUCTION OF THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATIVE 11 COMPLEMENTS OF THE PARTICIPATING ENTITIES; 12 (IV) AWARDS FOR CONSOLIDATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF MUST 13 RESULT IN THE REDUCTION OF THE OVERALL STAFFING COMPLEMENT OF 14 THE PARTICIPATING ENTITIES OR THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOL ENTITIES 15 NOT HIRING ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL. 16 (4) ALL DATA SUBMISSIONS FROM THE SCHOOL ENTITIES SHALL BE 17 SUBJECT TO AUDIT, AND ANY INCENTIVE PAYMENTS SUBSEQUENTLY 18 DETERMINED TO BE EXCESSIVE DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE DATA WILL BE 19 DEDUCTED FROM SUBSEQUENT BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING PAYMENTS. 20 (5) INCENTIVE FUNDS SHALL BE PAID TO SCHOOL ENTITIES FOR USE 21 IN CONSOLIDATED PROGRAMS. 22 (6) NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO 23 SUPERSEDE OR PREEMPT ANY PROVISIONS OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 24 AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT OR 25 AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND THE EMPLOYE ORGANIZATION 26 THAT IS IN EFFECT ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION. 27 SECTION 25. THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 922.1-A OF THE ACT 28 SHALL APPLY TO SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE SCHOOL YEAR 1998-1999 29 AND EACH SCHOOL YEAR THEREAFTER. 30 SECTION 26. (A) A SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL 19970S0494B1913 - 54 -
1 COMMENCE THE 1998-1999 SCHOOL YEAR NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 8, 2 1998, AND SHALL PROVIDE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A MINIMUM 3 INSTRUCTIONAL YEAR AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 1501 OF THE ACT TO BE 4 COMPLETED NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 1999. 5 (B) ALL PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE 6 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST CLASS SHALL REPORT FOR DUTY AND 7 FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AS REQUIRED BY THE APPROPRIATE CONTRACT OR 8 WORK AGREEMENT. ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE FIRST 9 CLASS WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10 SHALL BE SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION OF ANY CERTIFICATE FOR A PERIOD 11 OF ONE YEAR, TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR ILLEGAL WORK STOPPAGE, 12 OR TO OTHER DISCIPLINE AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT. 13 (C) IN ADDITION TO THE PENALTIES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION 14 (B), ANY EMPLOYEE, ADMINISTRATOR OR PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR 15 UNLOCKING, OPENING OR MAINTAINING A SCHOOL BUILDING WHO DOES NOT 16 FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OR IMPEDES OTHERS FROM FULFILLING 17 THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, SHALL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. 18 IN ADDITION, ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION WHO IS A 19 MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT 20 SYSTEM SHALL BE PERMANENTLY BARRED FROM EXERCISING ANY OPTION 21 FOR EARLY RETIREMENT WHICH MAY BE AUTHORIZED NOW OR IN THE 22 FUTURE. 23 SECTION 27. THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT SHALL HAVE 24 EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR ANY CHALLENGE TO OR TO RENDER A 25 DECLARATORY JUDGMENT CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF 26 SECTIONS 691(C) AND 696 OF THE ACT AND ISSUES RELATED TO 27 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARISING UNDER THOSE SECTIONS. THE SUPREME 28 COURT IS AUTHORIZED TO TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE, 29 CONSISTENT WITH THE SUPREME COURT RETAINING JURISDICTION OVER 30 SUCH A MATTER, TO FIND FACTS OR TO EXPEDITE A FINAL JUDGMENT IN 19970S0494B1913 - 55 -
1 CONNECTION WITH SUCH A CHALLENGE OR REQUEST FOR DECLARATORY 2 RELIEF. 3 SECTION 28. (A) THE ACT OF JULY 23, 1970 (P.L.563, NO.195), 4 KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC EMPLOYE RELATIONS ACT, IS REPEALED INSOFAR 5 AS IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. 6 (B) ALL OTHER ACTS AND PARTS OF ACTS ARE REPEALED INSOFAR AS 7 THEY ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ACT. 8 SECTION 29. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AS FOLLOWS: 9 (1) THE AMENDMENT OR ADDITION OF SECTIONS 507, 691 AND 10 696 OF THE ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. 11 (2) SECTIONS 26, 27 AND 28 OF THIS ACT AND THIS SECTION 12 SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. 13 (3) THE REMAINDER OF THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 14 1998. A23L24RZ/19970S0494B1913 - 56 -