MN HF1667

Changes requirement from permissive to mandatory: districts and charter schools must contract with eligible providers (charter schools, Head Start, child care centers, family child care programs, or community-based organizations) for mixed delivery of voluntary prekindergarten services.

Eligible contractors must have a three- or four-star Parent Aware rating and agree to provide information relating to program requirements; districts are not required to contract if no eligible program exists within the geographic school district location.

Programs must apply for contracts by October 1 annually, with districts and charter schools required to approve or disapprove applications by November 15 each year.

Districts and charter schools must offer eligible parents the option to enroll in any contracted program and must contract for services to at least 40 percent of previously served pupils or the program's capacity, whichever is higher.

By September 1 annually, the Commissioner of Education must notify districts and charter schools of estimated pupil numbers and per-pupil aid amounts from the previous year and post this information online; districts must pay contracted programs on the same per-pupil basis as previously received.

Effective for the 2018-2019 school year and later.