INCREASE MAXIMUM MEMBERSHIP FOR 3-YEAR AVERAGE SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP COUNT
House Bill 4004
Sponsor: Rep. Jerry Kratz
Committee: Education
Complete to 1-23-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4004 AS INTRODUCED 1-8-03
House Bill 4004 would amend the State School Aid Act to increase the maximum membership for school districts eligible to have their school aid payment calculated using a three-year average school membership count. Currently under the law the maximum membership for eligible districts is 1,550 students. Under House Bill 4004, the maximum membership for eligible districts would be 2,200 students.
More specifically, the law specifies that if a district's members for a particular fiscal year would be less than 1,550 students, and the district has 4.5 or fewer students per square mile (as determined by the Department of Education), the district's membership must be calculated using a three-year average. The law specifies further than beginning in 2003-2004, this subdivision applies only to districts located in the Lower Peninsula. Further and under the law, if a district educates and counts in its membership, students in grades 9 to 12 who reside in a contiguous district that does not operate grades 9 to 12, and if one or both of the affected districts request the department to use the three year average, then the department must include the square mileage of both districts in determining the number of pupils per square mile for each of the districts. Finally, the law specifies that the membership figure calculated under this subdivision is the greater of the following: (i) the average of the districts' membership for the three-fiscal-year period ending with that fiscal year, calculated by adding the district's actual membership for each of the three fiscal years, as otherwise calculated under this subsection, and dividing that sum by three; or (ii) the district's actual members for that fiscal year.
House Bill 4004 would retain these provisions, however under the bill the three-year average membership calculation could be used by districts having up to 2,200 students.
MCL 388.1606
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.