High Cost Special Education Categorical Aid Program Lori Ames, Consultant, DPI School Financial Services July 13, 2006
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Agenda Intro & Media Site Technical Issues High Cost Categorical Aid Program Questions & Answer
High Cost Special Education Categorical Aid Program Intended to assist eligible applicants with meeting the needs of high cost special education students New with the school year $3,500,000 appropriation Stemmed from the data produced from the DPI funded “Keeping the Promise” initiative
Eligible Applicants School Districts Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) County Children with Disabilities Education Boards (CCDEBs) Charter Schools – authorized under ss (2r) Wis. Stats.
Categorical Aid Calculation Aid based on prior year expenses ( data for aid paid in ) Expenses calculated on a per student basis and include costs, except indirect, administration, or leadership costs, directly related to educating a student with high cost special education needs
Categorical Aid Calculation District of Attendance should complete the claim form District of Residence (if different) should certify any direct paid expenses to the district of attendance to be included on the claim form (ex: transportation expense) District of Attendance should transit the appropriate aid to the District of Residence upon receipt.
Categorical Aid Calculation For salary/benefits claimed provide: Staff Name Social Security Number FTE associated with the student (not to exceed 1.0 regardless of the number of students served) Special education position
Categorical Aid Calculation +Directly Incurred “Educational Costs” - Special Education Categorical Aid - Average IDEA Grant Deduct (from DPI) - Average Medicaid Deduct (from DPI) - $30,000 (3 x “threshold cost” per student) = Net High Cost for Student x 90% = Net High Cost Eligible for Aid
Categorical Aid Calculation Aid eligibility may be prorated if claims exceed the appropriation amount. Students may not be claimed for both state tuition (PI1524) and high cost aid. (double claiming)
Timeline Claim form is currently available Claim form due: December 1, claim form to: Mail or fax ( ) the signed signature page to Beverly Kraus Aid payment: On or before the 3 rd Monday in June
Additional Resources June 30, 2006 Letter to District Administrators from David Carlson and Stephanie Petska Question & Answer Document Prior Year “Keeping the Promise Initiative” payments
Contacts Program Contact: Sandra Berndt Grant Claim Form: Beverly Kraus
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