1 CCR 301-39
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Colorado State Board of Education RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE ACT OF 1994 1 CCR 301-39 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] This regulation is adopted pursuant to the authority in section: 22-2-107, C.R.S., 22-2-113, C.R.S., 22-54- 104, C.R.S., 22-54-108, C.R.S., 22-54-109, C.R.S., 22-54-120, C.R.S., 22-54-129, C.R.S., 22-2-402, C.R.S. and is intended to be consistent with the requirements of the State Administrative Procedures Act, section 24-4-101 et seq. (the “APA” ), C.R.S.
2254-R-1.00 Statement of Basis and Purpose [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] The basis for these Rules amended on March 6, 2003 is found in Article 54 of Title 22, C.R.S., and in Article 2 of Title 22, C.R.S. The State Board has the responsibility to establish Rules and regulations to implement these provisions of these Articles. The purpose of these Rules is to: Establish regulations and procedures for administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, including the procedures for revocation or withholding of school district accreditation for Act violations, determination of district pupil membership and enrollment and district a-risk funding, and assignment of cost of living factors in the event of district reorganizations. Assure the pupil count associated with the Public School Finance Act of 1994 fairly distributes funding to school districts to provide continuing instructional services. Establish regulations and procedures regarding out-of-district-placed pupils and coordinate the collection of per pupil operating revenues with approval of facilities as on-grounds schools. Coordinate these rules with regulations governing the administration of the Exceptional Children Educational Act (article 20 of Title 54, C.R.S.).
The basis for these rules is to establish procedures related to counting of pupils and payments of funding related to publicly placed pupils in eligible facilities. These changes to the rules are necessary due to legislation enacted through HB08-1204, HB08-1388 and HB09-1189. Effective upon the signing of HB09- 1189, signed into law on April 3, 2009, the State Board was required to amend existing rules due to changes in legislation. The rules establish regulations and procedures regarding out-of district-placed pupils and the payment of state average per-pupil revenue to approved facility schools and state programs. The changes set forth below conform the rules to new legislation, and also make necessary modifications based on the recommendations of the Office of Legislative Legal Council’s review of the rules approved by the State Board in November 2008. Additionally, the facility schools unit will be adopting rules related to the oversight of approved facility schools allowing the school finance rules to cover only areas related to payment towards educational programs. Sections 14.00 through 20.00 of the Rules of the Administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994 have been modified. 2254-R-1.00 Definitions 1.005 BOCES means a board of cooperative services pursuant to Article 5 of Title 22, C.R.S.
1.007 Commissioner means the commissioner of education.
1.01 "District" means any public school district organized under the laws of Colorado, except a junior college district.
1.02 "Department" means the Colorado Department of Education.
1.03 "Home-bound pupil" means a pupil who cannot receive instruction in a school setting due to a temporary or permanent condition or status.
1.04 "Homestudy pupil" means a pupil receiving a non-public home-based educational program pursuant to Section 22-33-104.5, C.R.S.
1.05 "Local board of education" means the board of education of a district.
1.055 Pupil means a person under age 21 as of the official count date or the alternative count date who, except for a participant in the High School Fast Track program pursuant to article 34 of title 22, C.R.S., has not met the graduation requirements of his/her district as of the official count date or the alternative count date.
1.06 "Semester" means one-half of the school year.
1.07 "State Board " means the state board of education.
1.08 “Official count period” means the five days before and five days after the official count date.
1.09 “Approved full-day kindergarten program” means a full-day kindergarten program established under the Colorado Preschool Program Act, Section 22-28-104 or Full-Day Kindergarten Pilot Program for Unsatisfactory Schools, Section 22-32-119 (2) (a). 2254-R-2.00 General 2.01 The Public School Finance Act of 1994 and the Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994 shall apply to all Colorado school districts. The Commissioner may grant variances to any or all of these Rules for the Administration of the Public School Finance Act of 1994.
2.01(1) If the Department determines that a school district has not complied with the provisions of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, the Department shall notify such district in writing of the specific violation and shall state that the district’s accreditation may be revoked or withheld by the Board for such violation.
2.01(2) Such district shall have 30 days in which to respond in writing to the Department’s notification.
2.01(2.5) The Department shall review such response.
2.01(2.5)(b) If after making such review, the Department determines that such district still has not complied with the provisions of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, it shall forward the notification and the district response to the Board. 2.01(3) When necessary, the Board shall schedule a hearing with such district at the next available regularly scheduled Board meeting occurring after the end of the 30-day district response time and shall notify the district of such hearing. 2.01(4) At such hearing, the Department shall present its findings of non-compliance to the Board, and the district shall respond to such presentation. 2.01(5) At the regularly scheduled Board meeting next following such presentation, the Board shall decide if it intends to revoke or withhold such district’s accreditation under section 22-2-106(1), CRS, and shall notify the district in writing of its decision. 2.01(6) If the Board places such district on Non-accredited status, the Commissioner shall initiate school organization planning pursuant to Article 30 of Title 22, CRS, and 1 CCR 301-1 State Board of Education Rule 2202-R-3.04(2).
2.02 The Department shall prepare necessary forms and appropriate directions related thereto, which a district shall use to provide data required by the Department to meet its responsibilities in the Public School Finance Act of 1994.
2.02(1) A district shall submit it’s electronic data exchange student file, along with a signed form “certification of pupil enrollment” , no later than November 10.
2.03 The Department shall make available to a district detailed procedures with standard forms and records, which a district shall use to compute its certification of pupil enrollment to the State Board pursuant to Section 22-54-112, C.R.S.
2.03(1) A district may request and receive approval from the Research and Evaluation Unit of the Department for alternative procedures for documentation which do not follow the standard procedural manual.
2.03(2) The Department requires districts to automate the pupil count process; nonetheless, any such computerization does not reduce or eliminate a district's obligation to provide source documents for auditing purposes.
2.04 Since reporting of state data to the federal government requires an average daily attendance (ADA) figure, the Colorado ADA shall be the average daily attendance entitlements compared to the October 1 memberships for the reporting period. The resulting figure shall be used to compute the ADA figures for federal reporting purposes for Colorado for each reporting period.
2.05 Computation and reporting of data shall be as outlined below.
2.05(1) A district and the Department shall compute and report mill levy data to the nearest thousandth.
2.05(2) A district and the Department shall compute and report any dollar data to the nearest cent dollar.
2.05(3) A district and the Department shall compute and report any funded pupil count, pupil membership and pupil enrollment data to the nearest tenth.
2.06 Pursuant to Section 22-32-109, C.R.S., a local board of education shall determine, prior to the end of a school year, the length of time which the schools of the district shall be in session during the next following school year, but in no event shall said schools be scheduled to have less than one thousand eighty hours of planned teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact during the school year for secondary school pupils in high school, middle school, or junior high school or less than nine hundred ninety hours of such instruction and contact for elementary school pupils, less than four hundred fifty hours of such instruction for a half-day kindergarten program or fewer than nine hundred hours of instruction for a full-day kindergarten program. For the Colorado Preschool Program, the number of hours scheduled shall be no less than three hundred sixty hours.
2.06(1) A local board of education may reduce the actual hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact to no less than one thousand fifty-six hours for secondary school pupils, no less than nine hundred sixty-eight hours for elementary school pupils, no less than four hundred thirty-five hours for half-day kindergarten pupils, no fewer than eight hundred seventy hours for full-day kindergarten pupils or no less than three hundred fifty- one hours for pupils enrolled in the Colorado Preschool Program for parent-teacher conferences, staff in-service programs, and closings deemed by the board to be necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of pupils; except that not more than twenty- four hours per school year may be used for parent-teacher conferences or staff in-service programs.
2.06(2) Teacher-pupil contact and teacher-pupil instruction means that time when a pupil is actively engaged in the educational process of a district. 2.06(2)(a) Each local board of education shall define "educational process," which definition may include any work-study time provided under the supervision of a certificated or licensed teacher but shall not include any time provided for lunch. Each local board of education shall define "supervision of a certificated or licensed teacher."
2.06(3) Individual pupils may elect to enroll in fewer hours without affecting the satisfaction of this school calendar requirement as long as the opportunity to enroll for the minimum hours each school year is provided to the pupils. A local board of education may meet the required minimum hours for each school year by contracting for educational services from another entity.
2.06(4) Each local board of education shall establish the definition of "middle school" for purposes of the one-thousand-eighty-hour requirement.
2.07 Repealed.
2.08 Repealed.
2.09 In no case shall a school be in session for fewer than one hundred sixty days without the specific prior approval of the Commissioner of Education.
2254-R-3.00 Official Count Date
3.01 The official count date is October 1, except as otherwise provided below.
3.01(1) If October 1 is a Saturday, the official count date for all districts except those on a Monday-Thursday four-day week shall be the preceding Friday, September 30. 3.01(2) If October 1 is a Saturday, the official count date for all districts on a Monday-Thursday four-day week shall be the preceding Thursday, September 29. 3.01(3) If October 1 is a Sunday, the official count date for all districts except those on a Tuesday-Friday four-day week shall be the following Monday, October 2. 3.01(4) If October 1 is a Sunday, the official count date for all districts on a Tuesday-Friday four day week shall be the following Tuesday, October 3.
3.01(5) Determination of the official count date is not affected by a district decision to not have a school day on the official count date as defined above.
3.02 A district shall use the official count date unless an alternative count date is approved by the Department.
3.03 A district shall count its pupils enrolled and in attendance as of the official count date, and must be able to provide evidence of actual attendance of such pupils prior to said date, unless the pupil is new to the state or has proof of withdrawal from the prior in-state district at the time of enrollment, if the pupil enrolls during the official count period.
3.04 A district also shall keep an attendance record indicating a pupil's presence or absence each day.
3.05 The Department may accept amended official count date pupil data as provided by a district, unless the official count date pupil data has been audited by the Department.
3.06 In no instance shall a district solicit students from other districts for the sole purpose of attendance during the count period.
3.07 In no instance shall a district solicit pupils from the homestudy population solely for purposes of attendance through the official count period.
2254-R-4.00 Alternative Count Date 4.01 As needed, a district shall submit to the Department a proposal for an alternative count date or dates. The Department shall approve the establishment of district alternative count date(s) as needed prior to a district's proposed alternative count date(s).
4.02 A district may request the establishment of an alternative count date to provide maximum flexibility in the operation and scheduling of alternative program school calendars and of year-round calendars or for other reasons as authorized in statute. 4.02(1) A program designed to return dropout pupils to a school program leading to the completion of the twelfth grade is eligible for an alternative count date. 4.02(2) A program not in session for at least the entire month prior to official count date is eligible for an alternative count date.
4.03 Prior to the alternative count date, a district shall estimate and report on the Form “Certification of pupil enrollment” the number of pupils to be counted on its alternative count date. A district shall conduct another count on the alternative count date and report the findings to the Department, which will replace the estimated alternative count date data, and must report a revised form “Certification of Pupil Enrollment” .
4.04 The count on the alternative count date will be conducted in the same manner as the count on the official count date.
4.05 A district shall count its pupils enrolled and in attendance as of the alternative count date.
4.06 A district also shall keep an attendance record indicating a pupil's presence or absence each day.
4.07 The Department may accept amended alternative count date pupil data as provided by a district, unless the alternative count date pupil data has been audited by the Department. 2254-R-5.00 Determination of Membership and of Pupil Enrollment 5.01 A district's pupil membership shall include only pupils enrolled in the district and in attendance in the district.
5.01(1) No pupil shall be counted in membership more than one full-time equivalent. A pupil in membership in two or more districts or in two or more eligible educational entities shall not be counted in membership more than one full-time equivalent in total. 5.01(2) A pupil included in a district's full-time membership shall equal one full-time equivalent (1.0), and a pupil included in a district's part-time membership shall equal one-half of one full-time equivalent (0.5).
5.02 A pupil shall be "enrolled" if such pupil attends school at any time in the school year of the official count date or of the alternative count date on or prior to the official count date or the alternative count date in a district which has met the minimum hours of opportunity requirement in Section 22-32-109, C.R.S., or which purchases comparable instructional services for such pupil. 5.02(1) Enrollment must be evidenced by the receiving district with official registration, entry of pupil, and official individual class schedule dated on or before the official count date, and the date the pupil first attended on or before the official count date.
5.03 A pupil shall be in "attendance" if one or more of the following apply.
5.03(1) The pupil attends school for all or any portion of the official count date or of the alternative count date, except as provided below.
5.03(1)(b) For Tuesday-Friday four-day week districts using an October 3 official count date pursuant to Rule 2254-R-3.01(4), a pupil who enrolls on October 3 shall not be in attendance.
5.03(1)(c) A pupil from another in-state district who newly enrolls and attends on the official count date or the alternative count date or in the five school days preceding the official count date or the alternative count date shall be in attendance for the receiving district. The pupil must show proof of withdrawal from the prior district at the time of enrollment in the receiving district. 5.03(1)(c)(l) The receiving district shall notify in writing, with a copy to the Department, the other district of the pupil's new enrollment within 15 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date. If the pupil returns to the prior district during the count period, the district may appeal to the Department for the purposes of determining eligibility to count the pupil.
5.03(2) The pupil is absent on the official count date or the alternative count date but has attended school at some time during the five school days prior to the official count date or the alternative count date, has not withdrawn or transferred from the school as of the start of school on the official count date or the alternative count date, and has resumed attendance within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date. This Rule also is intended to allow a district to count pupils who have no classes scheduled on the official count date or on the alternative count date. 5.03(3) The pupil is absent on the official count date or on the alternative count date, does not attend school on any of the five school days either prior to or following the official count date or alternative count date, and returns to school within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date, and the district has on file the pupil's parent's or guardian's written documentation of intent to return the pupil to school within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date and to not enroll the pupil in another school.
5.03(4) The pupil is absent on the official count date or the alternative count date, is in attendance at some time prior to the five school days prior to the official count date or the alternative count date, is not in attendance at any time during the five school days immediately prior to the official count date or the alternative count date, and has resumed attendance at some time during the five school days following the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.03(5)(a) This Rule does not apply to pupils transferring to a district from out-of-state, or from a private school.
5.03(6) The pupil has reached at least age 16 as of the official count date or the alternative count date, does not attend any school in either the five school days preceding or following the official count date or the alternative count date, attends school at some time during the current school year prior to the official count date or the alternative count date, and resumes attendance within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date, and the district has on file the pupil's parent's or guardian's written documentation of intent to return the pupil to school within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date and to not enroll the pupil in another school.
5.03(8) The pupil is expelled from school prior to the official count date or the alternative count date but is receiving educational services under an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) in an alternate setting as of the official count date or the alternative count date or is required to resume attendance within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.03(9) The pupil attends school on the official count date or the alternative count date then withdraws or transfers on or after the official count date or the alternative count date. 5.03(9)(a) A district shall not include in attendance a pupil who withdraws or transfers prior to the official count date or the alternative count date. 5.03(9)(b) A district shall record withdrawals and transfers as of the last date of attendance prior to the date the pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian gives oral or written notification of the withdrawal or transfer.
5.03(10) The pupil is truant, and the district has taken legal action as outlined in Article 33 of Title 54, C.R.S., to compel the pupil's attendance.
5.03(10)(b) A district shall document that it has notified the pupil's parent or guardian of its request for action by the court or of its intent to request action by the court as evidenced by its directive to its attorney to file a request with the court. 5.03(10)(b)(1) A district shall request such action no later than ten school days following the official count date or the alternative count date. 5.03(10)(b)(2) The request to the court shall include appropriate and available information as requested of the district by the court for purposes of locating the pupil and the pupil's parent(s) or guardian. 5.03(10)(b)(3) This Rule is not intended to modify the procedure for counting pupils who are dropouts.
5.04 A district shall count a pupil in full-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.04(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254 R- 5.04(2) The pupil is enrolled as of the official count date or the alternative count date in any grade of the grade 1 through grade 12 group.
5.04(3) The pupil has a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 360 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact: 5.04(3)(a) A district shall not include the actual time instruction is suspended for lunch period but may include time for parent-teacher conferences and for staff in- service programs, subject to the limitations in Section 22-32-109, C.R.S. 5.04(3)(b) For a scheduled independent study, a district shall include only the time of actual teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact. 5.04(3)(c) For a workstudy program, a district shall include only the time of instruction and contact provided under the supervision of a certificated or licensed teacher. 5.04(3)(d) For night school classes, a district shall include time only to the extent that it would be included for a day school class.
5.05 A district shall count a pupil in full-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.05(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.05(2) The pupil would be enrolled as of the official count date or the alternative count date, but for the pupil's disabling condition(s), in any grade of the grade 1 through grade 12 group or in a approved full-day kindergarten program.
5.05(2)(b) A pupil who has not yet reached age 21 as of the official count date or the alternative count date or a pupil who reaches age 21 during the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date, and who is receiving services under an Individual Education Plan (IEP) shall satisfy the requirements of this Rule 2254-R-5.05(2).
5.05(3) The pupil has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 360 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.06 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.06(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.06(2) The pupil is enrolled as of the official count date or the alternative count date in any grade of the grade 1 through grade 12 group.
5.06(3) The pupil has a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours but less than 360 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact:
5.06(3)(d) For night school classes, a district shall include time only to the extent that it would be included for a day school class.
5.06(3)(e) For a pupil who is only enrolled and attending a part-time program, a district shall count such pupil at most in part-time membership regardless of the pupil's actual class schedule on the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.07 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.07(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.07(2) The pupil is enrolled as of the official count date or the alternative count date in any grade of the grade 1 through grade 12 group.
5.07(2)(a)(I) The pupil must reach age 3, pursuant to 22-28-104(1)(a.5), C.R.S., or age 4 on or before the official count date to be included in Colorado Preschool Program.
5.07(2)(b) A pupil who has not yet reached age 21 as of the official count date or the alternative count date or a pupil who reaches age 21 during the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date, and who is receiving services under an Individual Education Plan (IEP) shall satisfy the requirements of this Rule 2254-R-5.07(2).
5.07(3) The pupil has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours but less than 360 hours of teacher pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.08 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.08(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.08(2) The pupil is enrolled in kindergarten.
5.08(3) The pupil has a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact, a district shall not include the actual time instruction is suspended for lunch period but may include time for parent-teacher conferences and for staff in-service programs, subject to the limitations in Section 22-32-109, C.R.S.
5.09 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.09(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.09(2) The pupil is enrolled in kindergarten.
5.09(3) The pupil has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.10 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.10(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.10(2) The pupil is enrolled in and attending a district preschool program as defined in and established pursuant to Article 28 of Title 54, C.R.S.
5.10(3) The pupil has a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date. 5.10(3)(a) Regardless of the amount of hours included in the pupil's schedule, a district shall count the pupil meeting the requirements of this Rule 2254-R-5.10 only in part-time membership.
5.10(4) The pupil has reached age 3 or 4 on or before the official count date.
5.11 A district shall count a pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.11(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.11(2) The pupil is a three- or four-year-old with a disability and is receiving an educational program under Article 20 of Title 54, C.R.S., or the pupil has reached age 5 by the official count date, is determined to have a disability, and would be in kindergarten but for the disabling condition, or the pupil will reach age 3 during the semester of the official count date and has a disability.
5.11(3) The pupil has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which provides at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.12 A district may count a home-bound pupil in membership, as outlined below, if all of the following apply.
5.12(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.12(2) The pupil is receiving instruction, including but not limited to instruction delivered using technology under the supervision of a certificated or licensed teacher, from district teachers on a regular basis.
5.12(3) If prior to becoming home-bound, the pupil had a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which would have provided at least 360 hours of teacher- pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date, then a district shall count the pupil in full-time membership. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher- pupil contact:
5.12(4) If prior to becoming home-bound, the pupil had a schedule as of the official count date or the alternative count date which would have provided at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date, then a district shall count the pupil in part-time membership. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher- pupil contact:
5.12(4)(e) For a pupil who is only enrolled and attending a part-time program, a district shall count such pupil at most in part-time membership regardless of the pupil's class schedule on the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.13 A district may count a home-study pupil in part-time membership, if all of the following apply. 5.13(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R-
5.13(2) The pupil also is enrolled and is attending a district educational program which provides at least 90 hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the semester of the official count date or the alternative count date. For purposes of determining the number of hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact, a district shall not include the actual time instruction is suspended for lunch period but may include time for parent-teacher conferences and for staff in-service programs, subject to the limitations in Section 22-32-109, C.R.S.
5.14 A district may count a pupil enrolled in one or more courses offered by an institution of higher education, including a pupil participating in the High School Fast Track program pursuant to Article 34 of Title 22, C.R.S., or in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act pursuant to Article 35 of Title 54, C.R.S., in membership, as outlined below. 5.14(1) The pupil is enrolled and in attendance pursuant to Rules 2254-R-5.02 and 2254-R- 5.14(1)(a) A pupil may meet the attendance requirement of Rule 2254-R-5.03 by attending either the district school or the institution of higher education on the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.14(1.5) For a pupil enrolled in courses at institutions of higher education pursuant to the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act, a district shall include only those courses which count for credit toward meeting the pupil’s graduation requirements to determine full- or part-time membership.
5.14(1.7) For a pupil enrolled in courses at institutions of higher education pursuant to the High School Fast Track Program, a district may include all such courses to determine full- or part-time membership.
5.14(2) If the number of semester credit hours for the courses in which the pupil is enrolled on the official count date or the alternative count date is equivalent to a full-time pupil credit load as defined for the institution of higher education, or is equal to at least seven semester credit hours, then a district shall count the pupil in full-time membership. 5.14(3) If the number of semester credit hours for the courses in which the pupil is enrolled on the official count date or the alternative count date is less than a full-time pupil credit load as defined for the institution of higher education, or is less than seven semester credit hours but is at least three semester credit hours, then a district shall count the pupil in part-time membership.
5.14(4) If a pupil is attending both courses offered by a district and courses offered by an institution of higher learning and if the sum of the hours of teacher-pupil instruction and teacher-pupil contact in the district's educational program and the credit hours for the institution's courses is at least equal to the hours requirement outlined in Rule 2254-R- 5.04(3), then a district shall count the pupil in full-time membership. 5.14(5) A district may not establish a residency requirement that precludes a homeless pupil from participating in the High School Fast Track Program or in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act.
5.14(6) A district shall keep at its central district office a record of pupils included in its pupil membership who are enrolled at institutions of higher learning as of the official count date or the alternative count date.
5.14(7) A district shall keep at its central district office a record of the class schedules of all pupils included in its pupil membership who are enrolled at institutions of higher learning as of the official count date or the alternative count date. 5.14(8) A district shall document the attendance as of the official count date or the alternative count date of all pupils included in its pupil membership who are enrolled at institutions of higher learning.
5.15 A district’s pupil enrollment shall be the membership of the district as of the official count date or the alternative count date and any adjustments for the following as applicable. 5.15(1) A pupil receiving education services from another entity through a purchase agreement. 5.15(2) A pupil included in the pupil membership of an eligible facility pursuant to Rule 2254-R- 16.04.
5.15(3) A pupil for whom a district either pays or receives any amount of tuition. 5.15(3)(a) A pupil for whom a district receives maximum tuition shall be included only in the pupil enrollment of the district which agrees to pay the tuition. In the event an individual and not a school district is to pay the tuition, no district shall include the pupil in its pupil enrollment.
5.15(4) A pupil enrolled in a less-than-full-time program. 5.15(5) Replacement of estimates with actual count figures for programs having alternative count dates.
5.16 Pupils eligible to be counted in detention centers
5.16(1) Students in short-term detention centers on the official count date are eligible to be counted by the district of residence if they meet the following criteria: 5.16(1)(a) The pupil was in attendance in the month preceding the count date, has not withdrawn from the district of residence, and the resident district received notification from the district in which the detention center is located verifying the pupil was in the detention center as of the official count day. 5.16(1)(b) Students not in attendance in the month preceding the count date are eligible to be counted if the district of residence is also the district where the detention center is located. The district must enroll and establish a schedule with intent to have the pupil attend district schools after release from the detention center.
5.16(1)(d) Detention center pupils are not considered facility placed students.
5.17 Pupils enrolled in on-line programs
5.17(1) A pupil enrolled in an on-line program during the 2001-02 school year and who is enrolled and participates in any such on-line program on October 1 within the applicable budget year shall be counted in the “pupil enrollment” of the district and the district shall receive the district’s per pupil revenue for the pupil, section 22-54-103(10)(a)(ii). 5.17(2) A pupil enrolled in an on-line program within the applicable budget year that was enrolled in a public school in the immediately preceding school year, shall be counted in the “on-line” pupil count and the district shall receive the minimum per pupil funding amount for the pupil.
5.17(3) Repealed May 10, 2007
5.18 Fifth-year programs Repealed May 10, 2007
5.18(1) Repealed May 10, 2007
5.19 Pupils enrolled in Fast College Fast Jobs Education Program
5.19 (1) A pupil enrolled in a Fast College Fast Jobs Education Program in an eligible school district, as defined by section 22-35.5-103(2), and who is enrolled and participating in such program on October 1 within the applicable budget year, and who is enrolled in less than twelve credit hours in higher education courses through such program, shall be counted in the “pupil enrollment” of the district and the district shall receive the district’s per pupil revenue for the pupil, section 22-54-103(10).
5.19 (2) A pupil enrolled in a Fast College Fast Jobs Education Program in an eligible school district, as defined by section 22-35.5-103(2), and who is enrolled and participating in such program on October 1 within the applicable budget year, and who is enrolled in at least twelve credit hours in higher education courses through such program, shall be counted in the “pupil enrollment” of the district and the district shall receive eighty-five percent of the district’s per pupil revenue for the pupil, section 22-54-103(10)(e.7).
5.19 (3) [Expired 5/15/08 per Senate Bill 08-075]
2254-R-6.00 District Pupils Eligible for Free Lunch 6.01 "District pupils eligible for free lunch" means the number of pupils included in the district pupil enrollment pursuant to Rule 2254-R-5.15 who are eligible for free lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal "National School Lunch Act; 42 U.S.C. 1751, et. seq., and of the federal "Child Nutrition Act; 42 U.S.C. 1771, et. seq., which were in effect on July 1, 1994.
6.02 A district shall report to the Department its district pupils eligible for free lunch as of the official count date or the alternative count date.
6.03 As evidence of a pupil's qualification for inclusion as a district pupil eligible for free lunch, a district shall use one of the following items for each pupil claimed as a district pupil eligible for free lunch. 6.03(1) The pupil's current year "application for free or reduced price school meals," which application shall be for the school year of the official count date or the alternative count date and shall be approved within 30 calendar days after the official count date or the alternative count date.
6.03(2) A copy of the direct certification listing as of the official count date or the alternative count date which includes the pupil’s name.
6.03(3) For a district with a school or schools operating under a federal Special Assistance Certification and Reimbursement Alternative (7 CFR 245.9), evidence of the pupil’s inclusion on the district’s base year count and further evidence that such pupil remains included in the district’s pupil enrollment pursuant to Rule 2254-R-5.15. 6.03(3)(a) A district operating under a federal Special Assistance certification and Reimbursement Alternative (7 CFR 245.9) must notify the Research and Evaluation Unit of the Department at least 30 calendar days prior to the official count date of its intention to document eligible pupils at specific schools pursuant to Rule 2254-R-6.03(3).
6.04 A district shall retain in its child nutrition/school food service office the records of the applications for free or reduced price school meals and the records of direct certification listings required pursuant to Rule 2254-R-6.03.
2254-R-6.50 Cost of Living Factor -- newly organized districts 6.5 Except in the event of a deconsolidation as described in section 22-30-102(2)(a), CRS, resulting in a newly organized district, the Department shall assign a cost of living factor for purposes of the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to a new district organized pursuant to Article 30 of Title 22, CRS.
6.51(1) Such cost of living factor shall be valid until the staff of the legislative council certifies a cost of living factor for such district pursuant to section 22-54-104(5), CRS.
6.52 In determining a cost of living factor to assign, the Department shall review materials used in the most recent cost of living analysis conducted by the staff of the legislative council for those districts affected by the reorganization.
6.53 In determining a cost of living factor to assign, the Department shall consult with representatives of the affected school districts and with other parties as necessary.
6.54 In the event of a consolidation of existing districts and a cost of living factor assigned by the Department which is less than the cost of living factor previously applicable to the district prior to consolidation, the Department s assignment shall be attributable to matters other than the mere consolidation of the districts.
6.55 The Department shall assign such cost of living factor at least 30 days prior to the start of the newly organized district’s budget year and shall certify such factor to the district in writing. 2254-R-7.00 District Annual Audit Reports of Financial Statements 7.01 A district shall annually cause a schedule to be placed in the annual audit report of its financial statements which follows the required practices of the Department's Financial Policies and Procedures Handbook as adopted by the State Board.
7.02 A district shall submit to the Department the annual audit report of its financial statements within six months next following the fiscal year audited.
7.03 Since the State Board has determined that the timely filing of the annual audit report is the legal obligation of the district and that the information contained therein including the auditor's opinions has a time value, the Department will identify for the State Board any district that fails to file such a report in a timely manner as provided in statute and in these Rules. 2254-R-8.00 Department Audits of Districts 8.01 Each district and eligible facility pursuant to Rule 2254-R-14.03 shall retain complete documentation supporting any certification made to the Department or any other data given to the Department for purposes of administering the Public School Finance Act of 1994 until audited by the Department or until five years from the certification due date whichever comes first. 8.01(1) A BOCES participating in the provision of educational services to district pupils shall ensure that its documentation is sufficient to allow a district to meet the requirement in Rule 2254-R-8.01.
8.02 The Department encourages a district to retain all required documentation in a central location until audited by the Department or until five years from the certification due date whichever comes first.
8.03 Repealed.
8.04 If the Department determines that a district or an eligible facility has received payment of funds greater than the amount to which the district or eligible facility is entitled, the district or eligible facility shall be responsible for repayment to the Department within 30 calendar days from the date of said determination.
8.04(1) Audit repayments outstanding after 30 calendar days shall be assessed interest at a rate consistent with Section 5-12-101, C.R.S., beginning from the final settlement date of the audit.
8.04(2) A district or an eligible facility that refuses to pay a determined repayment amount may have its current payments or reimbursements withheld until the full amount of the repayment, plus applicable interest, is recovered.
8.04(3) If necessary, the Department may adjust future payments to a district or an eligible facility to fully recover outstanding audit repayments plus applicable interest.
8.05 If the Department determines that a district or an eligible facility has not received full payment of funds to which it is entitled, the Department shall be responsible for payment to the district or eligible facility.
8.06 A district or an eligible facility may appeal any audit finding in writing to the Commissioner within 30 calendar days.
8.06(1) The Commissioner shall rule within 30 calendar days of receipt of a written appeal. The ruling shall be in writing and shall either uphold, modify, or overturn the appealed audit finding(s).
8.06(2) The Commissioner’s ruling shall be final, and no additional administrative appeals shall be provided.
2254-R-9.00 Business Incentive Agreements 9.01 A district which negotiates an incentive payment or credit pursuant to Section 22-32-110(1) (ff),C.R.S., or pursuant to Section 22-32-110(1)(gg), C.R.S., shall submit a copy of the agreement to the Public School Finance Unit of the Department.
9.01(1) A school district board of education shall not enter into an agreement to provide an incentive payment or credit unless the Colorado Economic Development Commission
9.02 Annually, a district shall obtain certification from the county assessor of the amount of the assessed valuation of the property covered by the agreement by January 15 of each fiscal year.
9.03 The Department shall make any necessary adjustment to a district's state share of total program pursuant to Section 22-54-106, C.R.S., prior to June 30 of each fiscal year. 9.03(1) Adjustments will be made only for investments occurring within or after the calendar year in which an agreement is signed.
9.03(2) For compliance with Section 22-54-106(8)(a)(II), C.R.S., the Department annually may calculate the state share payments using the applicable mill levies certified in the current fiscal year.
9.04 Annually, a district shall certify to the Department the district’s compliance with the terms of its agreement(s), including payment of any incentive payment or credit. 2254-R-10.00 State Average Per Pupil Operating Revenues 10.01 The Department shall certify the state average per pupil operating revenues pursuant to Section 22-54-103, C.R.S., by June 15 next preceding the fiscal year. 10.01(1) The certified state average per pupil operating revenues shall be subject to inor correction and audit changes; agreements between districts and other entities to pay the state average need not be adjusted to the revised figure. 2254-R-11.00 Buyout of Categorical Programs 11.01 The Department shall certify to those districts required to levy additional mills pursuant to Section 22-54-107, C.R.S., the amount of categorical program funding which is subject to buyout requirements.
11.02 The Department shall use the best available data, including estimated amounts if actual figures are unknown.
11.03 The Department shall prorate each categorical program buyout requirement if a district's additional revenues available pursuant to Section 22-54-107, C.R.S., are insufficient to fully buy out the programs.
2254-R-12.00 Timely Payment of School District Obligations 12.01 If a district has issued general obligation bonds on or after July 1, 1991, pursuant to Articles 42 or 43 of Title 54, C.R.S., or has entered into a lease agreement or installment purchase agreement pursuant to Section 22-32-127, C.R.S., or to Section 22-45-103(1)(c), C.R.S., and does not have adequate funds to pay principal and interest payments due, such district shall notify the Department in writing of its inability to pay no later than 20 calendar days prior to the payment due date.
2254-R-13.00 Authorization of Additional Local Revenues 13.01 If a district holds an election pursuant to Article X, Section 20 of the state constitution, Section 22-40-102, C.R.S., Section 22-42-102, C.R.S., or Section 22-54-108, C.R.S., the president of the local board of education of the district or a designee shall provide to the Public School Finance Unit of the Department no later than ten business days after the election: (1) a copy of the official ballot question language as certified to the county clerk for a coordinated election or a copy of the official ballot marked with the word "sample;" and (2) the number of votes cast for the question and the number of votes cast against the question.
13.02 When a local board of education decides not to raise any or all of the amount approved at an election pursuant to Section 22-54-108, C.R.S., the amount approved shall not be reduced and shall be available for the board to include in determining the general fund levy in any future fiscal years.
2254-R-14.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence Definitions [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 14.01 “Approved Facility School” , as defined in section 22-2-402(1), means an educational program that is operated by a facility to provide educational services to students placed in the facility and that, pursuant to section 22-2-407(2), has been placed on the list of facility schools that are approved to receive reimbursement for providing educational services to students placed in a facility.
14.02 "State Program" means, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan, and the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo.
14.03 “Pupil in Public Placement or Pupil Publicly Placed” means a pupil placed in a facility by a court orderor other action by a public entity in Colorado or the pupil has been determined to be homeless as defined in 22-1-102.5, C.R.S.
14.04 “Pupil Enrollment” means the number of students receiving educational services at the approved facility school or state program on October 1 of the applicable budget year or on the school day nearest said date.
2254-R-15.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence-General [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 15.01 The Department shall provide instructions including appropriate definitions of terms for use by approved facility school or state program personnel in preparing certifications required under these rules and related statutes.
2254-R-16.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence-Determining Pupil Enrollment at an Approved Facility School or State Program [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 16.01 To determine its pupil enrollment, an approved facility school or state program shall count as of the official count date specified in Rule 2254-R-3.00 each of its Colorado resident, publicly-placed pupils being served who is under age 21 as of the official count date and who has not met graduation requirements as of the official count date.
16.02 No later than October 5, an approved facility school or a state program shall report to the Department the full name (first, middle, last), gender, date of birth, parent/guardian resident address, district of residence, state assigned student identification number (SASID), and whether the student was publicly placed for each pupil included in its pupil enrollment in order to receive education program funding.
2254-R-17.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence-Monthly Reporting to CDE for Reimbursement [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 17.01 On or before the fifteenth day of each month, an approved facility school or a state program shall report to the Department using the format required by the department its number of pupils served during the prior calendar month and the corresponding full-time equivalent membership of such pupils determined by the number of instructional days served. 17.01(1) An approved facility school’s or a state program’s attendance report received after the fifteenth day of the month shall be deemed late.
17.01(2) The Department may accept amended monthly reports from an approved facility school or a state program prior to making that month’s reimbursement payment pursuant to Rule 2254-R-19.00.
17.03 An approved facility school or a state program shall report a maximum of one and one third full- time equivalent for each pupil in a school year.
2254-R-18.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence-Determining Full-time Equivalent Membership [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 18.01 The first day of attendance following a pupil’s enrollment in the educational program of an approved facility school or a state program establishes the first day of the pupil's full-time equivalent membership in an educational program.
18.02 Membership in an educational program continues until the pupil withdraws and the pupil's name no longer appears on the roster of the approved facility school or state program, or until terminated automatically after five continuous calendar days beginning on the pupil’s first day of non- authorized absence from the educational program.
18.02(1) Non-authorized absences are time away from the educational program for any reason other than, but not limited to, pre-approved vacations, sickness, hospitalization, pre- approved therapeutic leave, and sentencing to a detention center.
18.03 Full-time equivalent membership is determined as follows: Total instructional days in membership divided by total instructional calendar days in reporting period (usually a month) equals full-time equivalent membership 18.04 Pupil means a child or youth who has attained three years of age on or before August 1 and who is under twenty-one years of age.
18.05 If the pupil returns on or before the fifth educational calendar day after the first day of non- authorized absence from the educational program, an approved facility school or a state program may include the days the pupil was absent in its calculation of total educational calendar days in membership.
18.06 If the pupil returns after the fifth calendar day after the first day of non-authorized absences from the educational program, an approved facility school or a state program may include only those days preceding and including the last day of actual attendance in the educational program in its calculation of total calendar days in membership.
18.07 For authorized pupil absences, an approved facility school or a state program may include the actual number of instructional days the pupil was absent, up to a maximum often, in its calculation of total educational calendar days in membership.
18.08 When a pupil reaches age 21, an approved facility school or a state program may include such pupil in its monthly report of pupils served and in its calculation of full-time equivalent membership only through the end of the semester in which the pupil reaches age 21.
18.09 An approved facility school or a state program shall retain documentation of pupilnames, birthdates, addresses, SASID, dates of admission, schedules, records of attendance, dates of discharge, and placement information until audited by the Department or until five years from the date it submits its monthly reports to the Department pursuant to Rule 2254-R-17.00. 2254-R-19.00 Pupils Publicly Placed Outside the District of Residence-Monthly CDE Reimbursement Payments [Emer. Rule eff. 06/10/2009] 19.01 On or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which an approved facility school or a state program is required to report its numbers of pupils served and its full-time equivalent membership pursuant to Rule 2254-R-17.00, the Department shall pay the facility a proportional amount of the state average per pupil revenues based on the approved facility school’s or state program’s reported full-time equivalent membership determined by the number of instructional days served.
19.01(1) An approved facility school or a state program which operates an educational program shall receive a daily rate of one and one-third times the state average per pupil revenue for each full-time equivalent membership reported. The number of instructional days may range from 176 days to 235 days per year, depending on whether the approved facility school or state program provides a nine, ten, eleven or twelve month educational program.
19.01(2) The Department may prorate its reimbursement payments if deemed necessary to accommodate a projected revenue shortfall.
19.02 The Department shall pay an approved facility school or a state program a maximum of one and one-third times the state average per pupil revenues for each full-time equivalent membership for a school year.
19.03 The Department is authorized to hold late reports pursuant to Rule 2254-R-17.01(1) and to hold any approved facility school’s or state program’s adjustment to its full-time membership information previously reported until the end of the fiscal year, at which time adjusted reimbursement payments may be made.
19.04 An approved facility school or a state program annually shall submit its school year calendar to the Department on or before May 1st.
_____________________________________________________ Editor’s Notes History Section 2254-R-5.00 eff. 5/10/2007.
Entire Rule eff. 9/30/2007.
Emer. Rules Sections 2254-R-1.00, 2254-R-14.00 through 2254-R-20.00 eff. 09/11/2008. Sections 2254-R-1.00; 2254-R-14.00 through 2254-R-20.00 Eff. 11/30/2008. Emer. Rule Sections SB&P, 2254-R-14.00 through 2254-R-20.00 eff. 06/10/2009. Annotations Rule 2254-R-5.19(3) (adopted 08/08/2007) was not extended by Senate Bill 08-075 and therefore expired 05/15/2008.