Title: G15-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B, and Part B Pre-Kindergarten Grants

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the continuation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and Part B Pre-Kindergarten Entitlement Grants in the amount of $41,971,804, effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and contracts related to the grant which are required for implementation of the grant activities.

Description:

The purpose of these grants is to implement statewide initiatives relative to the education of students with disabilities, in compliance with the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B.  The primary purposes of the IDEA are student access and student achievement.

The preliminary IDEA/Prekindergarten entitlement for 2007/2008 is $34,621,222 which includes no increase from the 2006/2007 allocation.  The total amount requested includes an anticipated $7,350,582 in IDEA roll forward funds from 2006/2007.  Roll forward funds are those funds which were not expended during the previous allocation period.

The impact of no increase in this grant is a net decrease due to the increased cost of salaries for personnel.  This may result in a reduction of personnel supported by the grant.  To anticipate a possible shortfall, the ESE Department has already reduced summer duty days for all employees including school psychologists who are employed to reduce the evaluation backlog during the summer.

The purpose of the IDEA grant is to provide related and support services to students with disabilities. These services include, but are not limited to:  professional technical support;  paraprofessionals;  interpreters for the deaf; instructional materials, supplies, hardware and software for students; substitutes for teachers;  counseling for the deaf and hard of hearing, emotionally disturbed and severely emotionally handicapped; occupational and physical therapy;  evaluations (including audiological, assistive and adaptive technology, psychological, psychiatric, social history); music therapy;  audiological services;  medically related services; and personnel development.

The IDEA  also requires a set-aside for parentally placed private school students who attend private schools located in the School District. This amount is approximately $1.2 million.

Implementation of the IDEA requirements is mandated by federal regulations and state statutes.

Financial Impact:
Pending State approval, the financial impact to the Special Revenue-Other Funds budget will be an increase of    $41,971,804.  These funds will be allocated within the Exceptional Student Education Department to meet the needs of students as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)
Brenda McGee
Russell Feldman

Attachments (list):
Data Panel.pdf
Project Application.pdf
Budget Description.pdf