256C.5 Funding formula.

1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section and section 256C.4:

a. “Base year”, “budget year”, “regular program state cost per pupil”, and “school district” mean the same as defined or described in chapter 257.

b. “Eligible student” means a child who meets eligibility requirements under section 256C.4.

c. “Preschool budget enrollment” means the figure that is equal to fifty percent of the actual enrollment of eligible students in the preschool programming provided by a school district approved to participate in the preschool program on October 1 of the base year, or the first Monday in October if October 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

d. “Preschool foundation aid” means the product of the regular program state cost per pupil for the budget year multiplied by the school district’s preschool budget enrollment.

2. Preschool foundation aid district amount.

a. For the initial school year for which a school district approved to participate in the preschool program receives that approval and implements the preschool program, the funding for the preschool foundation aid payable to that school district shall be paid from the appropriation made for that school year in section 256C.6, Code 2011, or in another appropriation made for purposes of this chapter. For that school year, the preschool foundation aid payable to the school district is the product of the regular program state cost per pupil for the school year multiplied by sixty percent of the school district’s eligible student enrollment on the date in the school year determined by rule.

b. For budget years subsequent to the initial school year for which a school district approved to participate in the preschool program receives that initial approval and implements the preschool program, the funding for the preschool foundation aid payable to that school district shall be paid from the appropriation made in section 257.16. Continuation of a school district’s participation in the preschool program for a second or subsequent budget year is subject to the approval of the department based upon the school district’s compliance with accountability provisions and the department’s on-site review of the school district’s implementation of the preschool program.

3. Aid payments. Preschool foundation aid shall be paid as part of the state aid payments made to school districts in accordance with section 257.16.

4. Administration and oversight. Except as otherwise provided by law for a fiscal year, of the amount appropriated for that fiscal year for payment of preschool foundation aid statewide, the department may use an amount sufficient to fund up to three full-time equivalent positions which shall be in addition to the number of positions authorized for the fiscal year, as necessary to provide administration and oversight of the preschool program.

2007 Acts, ch 148, §5; 2008 Acts, ch 1181, §69, 74; 2011 Acts, ch 131, §91, 101; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §35