Attached is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning Student Special Needs Funding (Act 59 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003). This information is provided to assist districts in the budgeting of these new funds.
The Department emphasizes that every school district is required to provide a research-based program or purpose that is aligned to the Arkansas Content Standards for improving instruction and increasing achievement of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) identified students at risk of not meeting challenging academic standards. It can be presumed that a district’s use of NSLA funds will be evaluated by improvements in academic performance.
Additionally, once a district meets these requirements, NSLA funds can be used for salaries that exceed the minimum salary requirements in Act 74 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003 (Rule 6.04), or for positions that exceed the minimums required by the Standards of Accreditation.
For further information, please contact Julie Kreth at 501/682-5128.