125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1866 LR 2774(02)
An Act To Remove Inequity in Student Access to Certain Schools
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This legislation may increase the total cost of funding K-12 education and the State's share of that cost as a result of students currently attending sectarian schools that are not publicly funded being added into the student count within the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding model.  Although the impact to the State and to local school administrative units can not be determined at this time, had this provision been in place during the 2010-2011 school year and all private sectarian schools in Maine had been approved to receive public funds for tuition purposes, the number of subsidizable students within the EPS model would have increased by an estimated 4,200 students.  The total state and local cost to fund these additional students would have been approximately $27.0 million.  Assuming a 97% recognition factor and a 45.84% State contribution rate for fiscal year 2010-11, the state's share of the cost would have been approximately $12.0 million.  The local share would have been 54.16%, or approximately $14.2 million.  The actual cost will depend on the number of private sectarian schools that meet the school approval requirements and are approved to receive public funds and the number of students attending those schools.