A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT providing for a study of the funding formula for public school transportation.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Public Instruction shall use funds within its budget for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year, if available, to study the current allotment formula for school transportation. The study shall be conducted by an independent consultant.
In the course of the study, the consultant shall consider whether (i) the current formula sufficiently encourages the efficient and effective use of school transportation funds by urban and rural school systems, (ii) the formula is adequately and equitably meeting the needs of school systems, and (iii) the formula is appropriate in light of the Leandro litigation. The consultant shall also propose options for reducing the severe and growing disparity in funding that exists under the formula among local school administrative units.
The consultant shall report the results of its study to the State Board of Education by December 1, 2005. The State Board of Education shall consider the consultant's report and shall report its recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2006.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.