House Engrossed

common school districts; unification; budget

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

 

 

 

CHAPTER 11

 

HOUSE BILL 2259

 

 

 

 

amending section 15-951, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing Laws 2007, chapter 283, section 6, as amended by Laws 2010, chapter 332, section 28 and Laws 2016, chapter 220, section 1; repealing Laws 2016, chapter 220, section 2; relating to school finance.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 15-951, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-951. District additional assistance, district support level and student count for a common school district not within a high school district

A. Notwithstanding section 15-947, the revenue control limit for a common school district not within a high school district is the sum of the following:

1. The base revenue control limit computed as prescribed in section 15-944 but excluding pupils admitted to another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2.

2. The tuition payable for high school pupils who attend school in another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2, including any transportation charge, except as provided in subsection F of this section.

3. The transportation revenue control limit for all pupils who reside in the district except those high school pupils transported by another district.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, for the purposes of sections 15-481, 15-482 and 15-1102, the revenue control limit for a common school district not within a high school district is the sum of the following:

1. The base revenue control limit for pupils computed as prescribed in section 15-944 but excluding pupils admitted to another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2.

2. The transportation revenue control limit for all pupils who reside in the district except those high school pupils transported by another district.

C. Notwithstanding section 15-961, district additional assistance for a common school district not within a high school district is district additional assistance as prescribed in section 15-961 but excluding pupils who are admitted to another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2, except that if the school district transports high school pupils, the district additional assistance amount prescribed in section 15-961 shall be increased by an amount equal to fifty percent of the district additional assistance per pupil amount prescribed for the school district pursuant to section 15-961 multiplied by the number of high school pupils transported.

D. Notwithstanding section 15-947, the district support level for a common school district not within a high school district is the sum of the following:

1. The base support level computed as prescribed in section 15-943 but excluding pupils who are admitted to another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2.

2. The tuition payable for high school pupils who are admitted to another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2, including any transportation charge, except as provided in subsection F of this section.

3. The transportation support level for all pupils who reside in the school district except those high school pupils transported by another school district.

E. For the purpose of determining eligibility to increase the revenue control limit and district support level, the student count for a common school district not within a high school district is the student count for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve, including pupils enrolled in another school district as provided in section 15-824, subsection A, paragraph 2.

F. The tuition amount in subsections A and D of this section shall not include amounts per student count for bond issues as prescribed by section 15-824, subsection G, paragraph 1, subdivision (c) in excess of the following:

1. One hundred fifty dollars $150 if the pupil's school district of residence pays tuition for seven hundred fifty or fewer pupils to other school districts.

2. Two hundred dollars $200 if the pupil's school district of residence pays tuition for one thousand or fewer, but more than seven hundred fifty pupils to other school districts.

3. The actual cost per student count if the pupil's school district of residence pays tuition for more than one thousand pupils to other school districts.

G. A common school district that is not within the boundaries of a high school district and that was authorized by the qualified electors to establish a unified school district with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the common school district may continue calculating its budget and equalization assistance pursuant to this section for fifteen years after the election or until a high school is built, whichever occurs first.

H. A newly formed unified school district that meets the requirements of subsection G of this section and that phases in instruction for pupils in grades nine through twelve may continue calculating its budget and equalization assistance pursuant to this section for a maximum of five years after the first year of the operation of the new high school in the newly formed unified school district.

I. Notwithstanding any other law, a school district may retroactively adjust its budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 pursuant to subsection G or H of this section but may not retroactively adjust its budget for any other fiscal year pursuant to subsection G or H of this section. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Repeal

A. Laws 2007, chapter 283, section 6, as amended by Laws 2010, chapter 332, section 28 and Laws 2016, chapter 220, section 1, is repealed.

B. Laws 2016, chapter 220, section 2 is repealed.

Sec. 3. Retroactivity

This act applies retroactively to from and after June 30, 2020.

Sec. 4. Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.


 

 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR FEBRUARY 12, 2021.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FEBRUARY 12, 2021.