§ 16-7-40. Increased school housing ratio.
(a)(1) In the case of regional school districts, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased
by two percent (2%) for each grade so consolidated.
(2) Regional school districts undertaking renovation project(s) shall receive an increased
share ratio of four percent (4%) for those specific project(s) only, in addition to
the combined share ratio calculated in § 16-7-39 and this subsection.
(b) In the case of projects undertaken by districts specifically for the purposes of school
safety and security, the school housing aid share ratio shall be increased by five
percent (5%) for these specific projects only, in the calculation of school housing
aid. The increased share ratio shall continue to be applied for as long as the project(s)
receives state housing aid. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, seventy-five
percent (75%) of the project costs must be specifically directed to school safety
and security measures. The council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate
rules and regulations for the administration and operation of this section.
(c) For purposes of addressing health and safety deficiencies as defined by the school
building authority, including the remediation of hazardous materials, the school housing
aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as the construction of the
project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred
fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November
2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent
(25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)
must be specifically directed to this purpose.
(d) For purposes of educational enhancement, including projects devoted to the enhancement
of early childhood education and career and technical education, the school housing
aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project
commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty
million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November
2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent
(25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)
must be specifically directed to these purposes.
(e) For replacement of a facility that has a facilities condition index of sixty-five
percent (65%) or higher, the school housing ratio shall be increased by five percent
(5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed
by June 30, 2029, does not receive a bonus pursuant to subsection (f) or subsection
(g), and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond
is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share
ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.
(f) For any new construction or renovation that increases the functional utilization of
any facility from less than sixty percent (60%) to more than eighty percent (80%),
including the consolidation of school buildings within or across districts, the school
housing aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction
of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two
hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on
the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five
percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)
must be specifically directed to this purpose.
(g) For any new construction or renovation that decreases the functional utilization of
any facility from more than one hundred twenty percent (120%) to between eighty-five
percent (85%) to one hundred five percent (105%), the school housing ratio shall be
increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by
June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty million dollar
($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In
order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project
costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically
directed to this purpose.
(h) For consolidation of two (2) or more school buildings, within or across districts
into one school building, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by five
percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is
completed by June 30, 2029, a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general
obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot, and does not receive a bonus
pursuant to subsection (f) or subsection (g). In order to qualify for the increased
share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred
thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.
(i) Any regionalized and/or non-regionalized school district receiving an increased share
ratio for a project approved prior to July 1, 2018, shall continue to receive the
increased share ratio for as long as the project receives state housing aid.