Section 20-2-2096.6 - Funding(a) The department shall pay to each completion special school an amount equal to the sum of: (1) QBE formula earnings and QBE grants earned by the completion special school based on the school's enrollment, school profile, and student characteristics;(2) A proportional share of earned state categorical grants, non-QBE state grants, transportation grants, school nutrition grants, and all other state grants, except state equalization grants, as determined by the department;(3) A proportional share of federal funds received by the State Board of Education for purposes contained in this chapter for which the completion special school is eligible to receive; and(4) An amount equal to the difference between:(A) The actual QBE formula earnings amount earned by the completion special school based on such school's enrollment, school profile, and student characteristics; and(B) The amount that such school's QBE formula earnings would be if the program weight for the alternative education program provided for in subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-161 was substituted for the program weights for each respective instructional program provided for in subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-161 with a program weight that is less than the program weight for the alternative education program.(b)(1) For each program student who attends a completion special school pursuant to a current collaborative operating agreement between such completion special school and such student's resident school system, the resident school system shall pay to the completion special school an amount not less than a proportional share of QBE formula earnings, QBE grants, and federal funds earned by the resident school system. Such proportional share shall be calculated pro rata based on the number of one-sixth segments of the school day, or the block scheduling equivalent, such student attends the completion special school.(2) Each resident school system which enters into a collaborative operating agreement with a completion special school shall:(A) Be authorized to use local funds to supplement the state and federal funds provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection to compensate such school for providing education programs and services to program students from such resident school system; and(B) Be strongly encouraged to provide, at no charge to such school, in-kind consideration for such collaborative operating agreement, including, but not limited to, the shared use of facilities owned by the resident school system, such as office space, meeting space, storage, and parking, and appropriate use of instructional technology and resources, including, but not limited to, network infrastructure, software, and other instructional materials.(3) Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a resident school system from paying a completion special school more than the amount provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection pursuant to a collaborative operating agreement.(c) The department may withhold up to 1/2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to subsection (a) this subsection for each completion special school for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this article; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subsection shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the department in performing the duties required by this article.Added by 2023 Ga. Laws 342,§ 3, eff. 5/4/2023.