SUMMARY:  LC 49 0662  LC 49 0944S

This bill amends the eligibility for a low-wealth capital outlay grant. The ranking would be for the currently ranked bottom 25% of local systems for sales tax revenue per FTE or that was ranked there in any of the three most recently completed school years, for those whose SPLOST revenues are currently ranked in the bottom 25% or have been in any of the three most recently completed school years, for systems consolidating facilities in accordance with a local facilities plan with at least one educational facility that is more than 35 years old.

If the Department of Education determines a school system's wide eligible need has been met as a result of the system having received a capital outlay grant under the low SPLOST revenue provision or the over 35 year old facility consolidation provision, the system would not be eligible to receive another capital outlay grant under those two provisions for 10 years from the date the grant was received.

State Board rules shall provide for prioritization of eligible school systems if the available funds do not cover the grants. Those with lower SPLOST revenues will be prioritized over those with a higher revenue. The rule would also include how it will be determined that systemwide eligible need has been met. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2022