R277-422-5. Optional Reading Improvement Levy Requirements and Timelines.

A. Local funds received by a local board under the local board leeway for reading improvement tax levy shall be used for funding the school district's K-3 Reading Improvement Program.

(1) This levy is in addition to any other tax levy or maximum tax rate; and

(2) does not require voter approval; and

(3) may be modified or terminated by a majority vote of the local board.

(4) The local board leeway for reading improvement is not a state-supported levy.

B. A local board shall establish its optional board leeway for reading improvement levy by June 1 to have the levy apply to the fiscal year beginning July 1 in that same calendar year.

C. If after 36 months of K-3 Reading Improvement Program operation, a school district fails to meet the goals stated in the district's plan for student reading proficiency improvement, as measured by gain scores, the local board shall at the next possible tax rate setting opportunity terminate its board leeway for reading improvement tax levy.

D. School districts that fail to reach their reading goals shall terminate their levy under Section 53A-17a-150(15). After a period of no less than one year, school districts that terminated their levy may present a new or revised K-3 Reading Initiative plan to the Board. Following approval by the Board, the local board may reinstate the levy at the next possible tax rate setting opportunity.

E. Funding

(1) The calculation for the K-3 Reading Achievement funding shall be consistent with Section 53A-17a-150.

(2) The following data shall be used for reading calculations:

(a) The most recent numbers of adjusted assessed valuations received by the USOE from the Common Data Committee;

(b) The previous year's tax collection rate;

(c) The previous year's number of Free and Reduced Price Meal applications; and

(d) The current fiscal year total number of WPUs received by LEAs for the basic school program.