SECTION 89.1503. Funding

(a) Equitable funding formula. As authorized by the Texas Education Code (TEC), §33.156, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) shall establish the funding of local Communities In Schools (CIS) programs in accordance with this section. State and federal funds remaining after allocations described in subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be allocated to local CIS programs.

(b) Developing programs.

(1) A developing program may receive a funding amount each year for a minimum of five years, including the first-year start-up funding for planning purposes. Priority will be given to developing programs as funds are allocated.

(2) A developing program that has met all the requirements for establishing a local CIS program before the fifth year may request to be considered as a local CIS program for funding determined under subsection (c)(2) of this section if approved by the TEA.

(c) Allocation.

(1) Annually, after federal and state funds for the CIS program have been set aside for administration, no more than 10% in total may be allocated for the following:

(A) CIS database development and maintenance;

(B) grant opportunities, as applicable, in accordance with subsection (f) of this section; and

(C) state leadership activities benefitting local CIS programs in accordance with the TEC, §33.154.

(2) Local CIS programs shall receive a funding amount each year to be allocated based on the following criteria:

(A) an equal base amount of funds, as determined by the TEA;

(B) no less than 50% nor more than 80% of the specified funding amount based on the relative proportion of the number of case-managed students to be served by each local CIS program to the total number of case-managed students to be served by all local CIS programs;

(C) no less than 5.0% nor more than 15% of the specified funding amount based on the weighted financial resources of the individual communities and school districts, if less than the average financial resources of all school districts participating in the program.

(i) Data elements used for calculation of the financial resources allocation. Weighted financial resources will be determined using the following data elements from the most recent school year for which final data are available:

(I) taxable property values determined in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 403, Subchapter M, for school districts listed in each program's current grant application;

(II) weighted average daily attendance (WADA), as reported by the school districts and verified by the TEA, in school districts listed in each program's current grant application; and

(III) the number of eligible students at the campus level, as reported by the school districts and verified by the TEA, in school districts listed in each program's current grant application.

(ii) Method used for calculation of the weighted financial resources. Weighted financial resources of a local CIS program are calculated in the following way.

(I) The weighted average taxable property value per WADA (wealth per WADA) for all local CIS programs is determined by first multiplying the wealth per WADA for each district within the CIS program by the district's WADA, summing the results for all districts, and then dividing the resulting sum by the total WADA in the CIS program.

(II) The average wealth per WADA for all CIS programs is then calculated.

(III) A local CIS program with a below-average wealth per WADA receives weighted financial resources. The weighted financial resources for a local CIS program with a below-average wealth per WADA are calculated as follows.

(-a-) The weighted eligible students number is derived by dividing the eligible students number by the ratio of the local CIS program's wealth per WADA to the average program wealth per WADA.

(-b-) The weighted eligible students numbers for all programs with a below-average wealth per WADA are summed.

(-c-) The ratio of each individual program's weighted eligible students to the total weighted eligible students is applied to the total amount allocated for the financial resources allocation. This amount forms the program's financial resources allocation.

(3) If a local CIS program declines to accept allocated grant funds, the TEA may redistribute grant funding competitively, equally, or based on a formula among participating local CIS programs.

(d) CIS program replication and expansion. Should the legislature authorize an increase in the funds appropriated for the state CIS program or should funds become available because of loss of program funding or grant revocation, the TEA may designate an amount of the increase to be reserved for replication and/or expansion.

(1) Replication. The TEA may determine and retain a funding amount for replication of the CIS program in areas of the state that are not served by a participating CIS program. Replication funds may be made available through a competitive request for application process or through any other process the TEA deems necessary. First-year replication funding may be a one-time planning grant for the development of a business plan.

(2) Expansion. The TEA may determine and retain a funding amount for expansion of the CIS program.

(e) CIS program merger. For purposes of funding, only local CIS programs geographically adjacent to one another may merge into one CIS program. If two or more local CIS programs merge into one CIS program, the equal base allotment as determined in subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section may be allocated to the merged CIS program for a maximum of two years after the merger takes place. After two years, the merged CIS program will be considered a single CIS program within the funding formula and receive one equal base allotment. Local CIS programs seeking to merge for funding purposes must submit to TEA, prior to the posting of the subsequent school year's CIS Grant Program Guidelines, a proposed plan for the merger describing the need for the merger and the local educational agencies to be served.

(f) Special initiatives. If the TEA partners or contracts with other agencies or entities to implement special initiatives, activities, or programs that support dropout prevention efforts, local CIS programs will have the discretion of whether to participate in the special initiatives. Selection of local CIS programs for participation may be determined by the TEA and the partner, or contractor, depending on the variables of the initiative.

Source Note: The provisions of this §89.1503 adopted to be effective February 26, 2009, 34 TexReg 1237; amended to be effective December 27, 2011, 36 TexReg 8820; amended to be effective September 13, 2016, 41 TexReg 7086; amended to be effective July 13, 2021, 46 TexReg 4141