The reimbursable special education expenses included in the Education Resource Block Grant Model shall be limited to those actual costs required to provide special education services to children with disabilities that extend beyond the amount necessary to provide general education to all students. Although reimbursable expenses do not have to be specifically detailed in the IEP, they must be directly related to a service in the IEP, or be direct costs as follows:
(a) Advertising.
(b) Communication Services. Reimbursement shall be limited to those actual and direct costs required to provide special education services, related services, supplementary aides and services to children with disabilities. Non-personnel expenses requiring a percentage allocation are non-reimbursable.
(c) Contract Services. - (i) Charges for contracted special education services related to individual children with disabilities shall be supported by an itemized billing document with enough specificity to tie the charge back to the student(s) served. Reimbursement shall not exceed actual costs for services as stated in the contract without fully executed amendment in place.
- (ii) Costs in excess of the original contract shall be supported by an amendment executed by all parties. A contract/amendment shall be executed and in place before services can be provided.
- (iii) With the exception of those payments to BOCES or other Wyoming school districts that have been pre-approved by local boards of trustees, payment for services shall be made only after the services have been provided.
- (iv) School districts offering special education services, related services, supplementary aides and services through a case management arrangement utilizing individuals other than district staff. A personal services contract setting out and describing those case-management services provided by the case manager must be executed.
- (v) Each contract for out-of-district or out-of-state placement shall be executed for only one child.
- (vi) Contracted services shall only be provided by appropriately certified, licensed, or registered providers.
- (vii) All contracts for services shall be on file for review as required by state retention policies.
(d) Evaluations to determine whether a child qualifies for special education.
(e) Per Diem. Per Diem rates shall not exceed the published federal travel regulation rates, established by the U.S. General Services Administration in effect at the time of travel.
(f) Professional Development-Special Education.
(g) Salary and Benefits. - (i) Personnel providing full-time special education services to children with disabilities shall be subject to one hundred percent (100%) reimbursement provided that the following support documentation is on file at the district office:
- (A) Appropriate position description.
- (B) Certification. Certification must be in compliance with current OMB guidance, prepared semi-annually; signed by the employee or direct supervisor and the district superintendent, or district superintendent designee, attesting to such full-time involvement; and clearly reference the school year for which reimbursement is claimed.
- (ii) Reimbursement for personnel not devoting one-hundred percent (100%) of their time providing special education services to children with disabilities shall be supported by clear and continuous documentation via a time and effort log.
- (iii) Reimbursement for personnel costs of teachers and related service staff providing special education services to children with disabilities shall be limited to those individuals having appropriate special education certification or licensure. Substitute teachers need not be certified as special education instructors.
- (iv) Reimbursement for personnel costs of appropriately trained or substitute aides and paraprofessionals shall be based on the amount of time devoted to special education and/or related services, working under the supervision of certified special education personnel. This includes aides and paraprofessionals providing transportation services as documented in the student's IEP.
(h) Screening. Screening that extends beyond what is normally administered to students who are not receiving special education services.
(i) Supplies-Special Education. Reimbursement may also include those items necessary to evaluate a child to determine the need for special education services or programs. General supplies for staff providing services are not a reimbursable cost. Examples of reimbursable supplies include, but are not limited to: diapers, wipes, disposable gloves, special feeding utensils, Braille paper, and batteries.
(j) Instructional Materials-Special Education. Reimbursement may also include those items necessary to evaluate a child to determine the need for special education services or programs. General supplies for staff providing services are not a reimbursable cost. Examples of reimbursable instructional materials include, but are not limited to: Braille textbooks and curriculum purchased to address the specific needs of students with disabilities.
(k) Technology-Special Education. Computers, including laptops and notepads, must be purchased for specific use by a student with a disability. When no longer needed by the student with a disability, the technology must continue to be used in the broader special education program.
(l) Equipment-Special Education. When no longer needed by the student with a disability, the equipment must continue to be used in the broader special education program.
(m) Travel Costs. - (i) Reimbursement for fuel or mileage allowance for special education staff providing services within the scope of duties using a personal vehicle shall not exceed the state standard mileage rate in effect at the time of travel.
- (ii) Each local school district shall develop, implement, and enforce a reasonable policy setting forth the conditions, limitations, and allowable frequency of travel by parents to visit their child with disabilities when the child has been placed in a specialized setting away from the home in accordance with the child's IEP.
(n) Tuition Expense.
206-44 Wyo. Code R. § 44-5
Adopted, Eff. 12/21/2018.