Section 16-7.1-16 - Targeted school aid(a) In addition to those funds described in § 16-7.1-15, each district with a tax effort index below 1.0 as calculated pursuant to § 16-7.1-6 and with a free and reduced lunch count in grades K-3 greater than forty percent (40%) shall receive targeted school aid. Districts shall be eligible for aid based on the proportion that their average daily membership bears to the total average daily membership of districts eligible for aid under this section. The local school district shall determine the amount it proposes to spend on the program priorities referred to in this section and the programs and proposed expenditures shall be a part of the district's strategic plan and/or annual updates required under § 16-7.1-2.(b) The commissioner may require a school district to reserve up to five percent (5%) of its targeted aid for intervention remedies. These five percent (5%) set-aside funds shall only be spent with the prior approval of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. If however by March 1, the amount reserved is not expended or expected to be spent in the academic year, then the district may expend the funds in accordance with the priorities of this section and with the approval of the commissioner. In addition, there shall be an appropriation for comprehensive on-site school reviews and other accountability measures that the commission deems appropriate in accordance with policies and procedures to be determined by the commissioner and to carry out the purposes of § 16-7.1-2. The commissioner may give priority to districts receiving targeted funds for the use of this appropriation.(c) Districts may use targeted funds in new or expanded programs for: (1) Early childhood education;(2) Helping schools to improve instruction to meet high standards;(3) Reducing class size at the elementary level;(4) After school programming for middle schools, junior, and senior high schools in accordance with § 16-7.1-17;(5) Establishing and implementing innovative organizations and methods of instruction at the middle, junior high, and/or high school levels;(6) Child opportunity zones;(8) Curriculum revision to meet new standards;(9) School and district intervention; or(10) Other programs which the commissioner believes will result in increased student performance.R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7.1-16
P.L. 1998 , ch. 31, art. 31, §3; P.L. 2002 , ch. 65, art. 18, § 1.