BILL NUMBER:S2771

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for state
apportionments to school districts sending and receiving pupils
pursuant to a contract system

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To amend the Education Law to allow school districts participating in
a contract system to receive incentive operating aid.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the Education Law by adding a new section 2046, which
would allow school districts participating in a contract system to
receive one-half each of the incentive operating aid a reorganized
district would receive, pursuant to paragraphs d and d-1 of
subdivision fourteen of section thirty-six hundred two of the
Education Law.

Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect on the first of
July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

JUSTIFICATION:
              

New York State public school enrollment continues to decline,
especially in rural areas. According to the New York State Education
Department, in 19981999, there were 2,808,395 students enrolled in
public schools. By 2012-2013, enrollment had declined to 2,579,011
students. This represents an 8.2% decrease in enrollment statewide.
Western New York and the Southern Tier in particular continue to see
sharp declines, with some schools losing as much as 7 percent of their
student bodies over a three year period.

With the continuing decline in enrollment, school districts are
looking for new ways to provide the best possible educational
experience for their students. This bill simply authorizes school
districts participating in a contract system to receive incentive
operating aid. This will allow schools to explore more efficient ways
of operating while also providing their students with access to more
educational opportunities.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect the first of July next succeeding the date
it shall have become a law.