§6321 Fiscal requirements

Summary

A local school district can only get these federal Title I funds if the state says the district kept up the same level of spending required under section 7901. Federal money must be used to add to state and local money, not to replace it. A district must show that the way it divides state and local money makes sure each school getting federal help still gets the state and local money it would have gotten without the federal aid. The district does not have to label individual expenses as “supplemental” or use any particular teaching method or setting. The U.S. Secretary cannot force the district to use a specific method. The district had to meet the showing requirement no later than 2 years after December 10, 2015, but could use the method in place before that date while transitioning. State and local money used in schools that get federal help must, as a whole, be at least comparable to money and services in schools that do not get federal help. If every school in the district gets federal help, the services must be substantially comparable across schools. A district can compare schools by grade span or school. A district can meet this rule by filing a written promise that it has a district-wide salary schedule and policies that ensure similar staff and similar curriculum materials and supplies across schools. When checking per-pupil spending or instructional salaries, the district should not count pay differences for years of experience and does not have to count sudden changes in enrollment or staffing after the school year starts. Districts must make procedures, keep records updated every two years, and may exclude certain funds such as money for language instruction and the extra cost of educating students with disabilities. States or districts may also exclude extra state or local funds used for programs that match the purpose of this part.