Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Plain-English Summary

This bill changes how Rhode Island calculates and distributes state money to local school districts for special education students. Specifically, it updates the formula used to determine "extraordinary costs" — the extra expenses that come with educating students who have significant disabilities or complex learning needs — starting in the 2028-2029 school year. The goal is to make sure the state's funding formula more accurately reflects what it actually costs to serve these students.

The bill also addresses a practical problem that school districts commonly face: when a special education student moves into a district *after* the school year's budget has already been set, the district suddenly has new costs it didn't plan for. Under this bill, districts would be able to receive additional state funds to help cover those unexpected expenses, rather than having to absorb the costs entirely on their own.

The people most directly affected are local school districts and the special education students they serve. Districts — especially smaller ones with limited budgets — could benefit from more predictable and adequate state support. Families of students with disabilities may also be affected, since better funding can help ensure schools have the resources needed to provide appropriate services. Taxpayers at the local level could also see an indirect benefit if districts are less reliant on local property taxes to cover special education shortfalls, which aligns with the broader goal referenced in the bill's title of providing property tax relief.