They negotiated in good faith and their support for the settlement is a huge contribution to special education. The agreement, announced by the governor's office Oct. 26, falls well within the 120-day period schools had to file claims with the state Controller's office. Settling with school districts now benefits the state by reducing its liability for past expenses while the economy is hot.
Schools win by avoiding the cumbersome and time-consuming process of filing itemized claims.
They will now be reimbursed on the basis of their average daily attendance, with no application required. The settlement also removes the threat of legal appeals that could delay payment for years, said Richard Hamilton, lead attorney for the California School Boards Association's Education Legal Alliance. Payments for past expenses can be used at the school's discretion, whereas ongoing funds are earmarked for special education. This settlement is a fair resolution to this 20-year battle. The settlement resolves a test claim filed by the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools in the 1981.