21-22-106. Distribution of trust funds available to public schools; innovative program grants; criteria.

(a) Revenues available to the department of education from the separate account under W.S. 21-22-102 shall be annually distributed to school districts as innovative program grants to fund programs providing innovation in or improvement to public education through the creation of new, different and improved educational opportunities in elementary or secondary schools, including:

(i) Curriculum development activities such as initiatives in foreign languages, mathematics, social studies, English and the sciences, programs to develop critical or creative thinking, programs involving the private sector and programs providing parental and family training;

(ii) Operational initiatives such as modification to class schedules, school day, week, month or year calendar and scheduling of extracurricular activities;

(iii) Administrator and staff development and improvement programs such as performance incentives, awards for excellence, professional training and development programs and performance evaluation programs;

(iv) Acquisition of technological equipment for programs expanding curriculum, enriching student education, enhancing staff development and providing community service;

(v) Applied science and technology programs designed to meet future labor market demands and to integrate public school programs with needs of business and industry;

(vi) Technical preparation programs integrating specific public school programs with community college programs and working with business and industry to prepare students for technical and academic careers;

(vii) Evaluation programs designed to determine the effect and achievement of innovative programs previously funded or currently provided within the district;

(viii) Regional developmental programs, including those designed to better prepare children for elementary school, and to improve parents' skills in developing their children's learning skills.

(b) In addition to criteria specified under subsection (a) of this section, priority shall be given to those programs which supplement not supplant existing courses and curriculum, are easily transferred to or duplicated by other districts, provide matching funds from nonstate sources and demonstrate the ability of the recipient district to continue the program after expiration of innovative program grant monies.