Opinion ID: 2294246
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 35

Heading: Extraordinary Aid for Special Education

Text: Extraordinary Aid funds special education costs over a certain threshold as a categorical aid. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-55(b)(4); see also Davy, 1 T 36:17-20. This aid is distributed as a reimbursement for extraordinarily high costs for special education resources. D-1 ¶ 37. Loeb testified high-cost special education is not evenly distributed across districts. Loeb, 9 T 35:13-36:8. Therefore, a census-based approach for funding these costs would not be appropriate; reimbursement of the high costs is the better approach. Ibid. Under SFRA for in-district placements, the State reimburses 90% of the costs over $40,000 for providing direct instructional and support services. D-1 ¶ 37. For public placements under SFRA, the State reimburses 75% of the costs for direct instruction and support services over $40,000. Ibid. For private out of district programs, the State reimburses 75% of the costs over $55,000. Ibid. For FY2009, the Governor has increased the percentage reimbursed for all placements: for in-district programs 95% of costs over $40,000 will be reimbursed; for public placements 85% over $40,000 will be reimbursed; for private out of district programs 85% over $55,000 will be reimbursed. Ibid. To calculate extraordinary special education for an in-district classified pupil, one would subtract $40,000 from the actual cost of aid for the in-district program and multiply the sum by 90%; for a student in a separate public school, $40,000 is subtracted from the actual cost and multiply by 75%; and for a student in a private school, one would subtract $55,000 from the actual cost and multiply by 75%. N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-55(b)(4). To determine the total district extraordinary education aid, one would simply add the three totals together. Ibid.