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IFC approves transfers to partially raise district special‑ed multipliers; Clark and charter schools remain below target
Summary
The IFC approved a $4.7 million transfer to move Department of Education funds into targeted allocations for special education as lawmakers seek a statewide multiplier of 0.46; Clark County and the charter authority did not reach the full target because of enrollment growth and IDEA maintenance rules.
The Interim Finance Committee approved a $4.7 million transfer within the Department of Education to align targeted allocations for special education toward a statutory multiplier of 0.46.
Deputy Superintendent Megan Peterson said the funds were moved from reserve to fulfill allocations identified in the recent legislative session. Peterson told the committee that two entities (Lyon County and Davidson Academy) reached the 0.46 multiplier; Clark County moved from 0.43 to 0.44; the State Public Charter School Authority moved from 0.39 to 0.40. Peterson explained the shortfall resulted from enrollment growth tied to IEP counts and the IDEA maintenance‑of‑effort requirement: state and local maintenance obligations reduce the funds available for per‑pupil targeting when total student counts rise.
Why it matters: the multiplier affects per‑pupil special education funding. Several committee members pressed for clarity on methodology and the implications for per‑pupil amounts. Peterson explained the distribution process: the division first satisfies IDEA maintenance of effort, then allocates remaining funds on a per‑pupil basis among districts and charter authorities; rapid local enrollment growth dilutes per‑pupil allocations.
The committee approved the transfer by voice. Peterson and staff said they worked with LCB fiscal staff to honor legislative intent and will continue to monitor enrollments and IEP counts in future budget cycles.
