MN HF344

Increases special education excess cost aid reimbursement rates from 56% to 75% for nonfederal expenditures and from 62% to 75% for old formula expenditures, effective fiscal year 2018 and later.

Raises school district basic revenue formula allowance from $5,948 (fiscal year 2016) to $6,067 (fiscal year 2017), $6,219 (fiscal year 2018), and $6,375 (fiscal year 2019), with automatic indexing to inflation for fiscal year 2020 and later using the Consumer Price Index.

Authorizes school boards to renew expiring referendums by board resolution instead of voter election if the per-pupil amount remains the same and the renewal term does not exceed the original term, effective July 1, 2017.

Modifies special education aid calculations by adjusting thresholds from 7.0% to 5.0% for determining excess cost aid eligibility, effective fiscal year 2018 and later.

Appropriates unspecified amounts to the Department of Education for general education aid and special education aid for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.