[SE-Dir] OSL&P--High Cost Kids

[ZERBE Debra]

TO:	All District and ESD Special Education Directors

The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:
 
Nancy Latini, PhD
Assistant Superintendent
Student Learning & Partnerships

______________________________________________ 

September 12, 2005

TO:	All District and ESD Special Education Directors

RE:	High Cost Kids


In the fall of 2004 the Special Education Accountability and Finance
Work Group, a sub-committee of the former Special Education Task Force
reconvened for the purpose of reviewing fiscal issues in special
education.    This work group met on several occasions to discuss the
high cost student fund, Maintenance of Effort, the 11% Cap Waiver, and
other fiscal topics.

As you know, the High Cost fund was permanently reauthorized by the 2005
Oregon Legislative Assembly and the Governor.  The definition of a high
cost student was changed from $25,000 to $30,000.  The amount of State
School Fund authorized for this fund each year remained fixed at $12
million.

In anticipation that the High Cost Fund would be reauthorized, the
Finance Work Group reached consensus on three recommendations related to
the administration of this fund by ODE;
*Actuals for 04-05 should be submitted by October 15, 2005. 
*Districts should not have to provide a December estimate for 05-06. ODE
should use the 10/15/05 as actuals if they need an estimate in December.

*District should be asked to provide an estimate for 05-06 on February
15, 2006. 
As we begin a new school year we wanted to inform you that the
implementation of these recommendations will reduce your workload by
eliminating a first estimate data collection in December, and by moving
the date back to collect your single estimate.  The collection date of
February 15th was carefully selected to fall at a time deemed more
convenient for LEAs.
The Office of School Finance and Administration is in the process of
implementing these recommendations.  If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact Mark Patterson at 503-378-3600, extension 4457.
You may also communicate with Mark electronically at
mark.patterson at state.or.us  Eric Richard in Special Education is also
available to assist you. 


Nancy Latini, PhD
Assistant Superintendent
Student Learning & Partnerships


Messages to and from this e-mail address may be made available to the
public under Oregon law.

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