AB 471

Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, this bill changes the timing of state aid

payments to school districts and of payments to operators of independent charter

schools, private schools participating in a choice program, and private schools

participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program.

Under current law, a school district receives 15 percent of its state aid in

September, 25 percent in December, 25 percent in March and 35 percent in June.

Current law also provides an option for a school district to receive its state aid in ten

equal monthly payments from September to June. Under current law, if a school

district opts to receive its state aid in ten equal payments, the school district must

compensate the state for any lost interest. Under the bill, school districts receive

state aid in 12 equal monthly payments. The bill retains the option for a school

district to receive its state aid in ten equal payments but eliminates the requirement

that such a school district compensate the state for any lost interest.

Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction pays annual amounts

due to operators of independent charter schools and to private schools participating

in a choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship Program in four equal

quarterly installments. These installments are paid in September, November,

February, and May. Under the bill, other than for the first school year in which

payments are received, DPI pays operators of independent charter schools and

private schools participating in a choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship

Program in 12 equal monthly installments. For the first school year in which an

operator of an independent charter school or private school participating in a choice

program receives a payment from DPI and for the first year in which a pupil

participates in the Special Needs Scholarship Program, DPI pays the annual amount

due in ten equal monthly installments.