R277-600-12. Rural School Transportation Reimbursement Program

  (1) The Superintendent shall annually determine which LEAs are eligible for rural school transportation reimbursement using the criteria described in Subsection 53F-5-211(1)(a).

  (2) The Superintendent shall measure eligibility based on:

  (a) the most recent October 1 UTREx submission; and

  (b) the prior year's transportation data submitted in accordance with Section R277-484-3.

  (3) By November 1 annually, the Superintendent shall notify an LEA that the LEA may seek reimbursement.

  (4) An LEA eligible for reimbursement shall:

  (a) provide evidence to the Superintendent in the first year of the LEA's eligibility that the LEA has provided transportation to and from the school for the past five years;

  (b) submit to the Superintendent in the first year of the LEA's eligibility the LEA's current year pupil transportation Schedule A1 by December 30; and

  (c) in subsequent years of eligibility, submit all transportation reports in accordance with Section R277-484-3.

  (5) Submission of the pupil transportation Schedule A1 shall constitute an annual application and request for reimbursement by an LEA with an eligible school.

  (6)(a) The Superintendent shall calculate and process reimbursements to LEAs once a year.

  (b) The Superintendent shall determine allowable costs eligible for reimbursement taking into account:

  (i) eligible routes; and

  (ii) eligible miles and minutes as reported on the pupil transportation Schedule A1.

  (c) The Superintendent shall reimburse an LEA based on the LEA's percentage of total unreimbursed eligible costs submitted.

  (d) If the annual appropriation is insufficient to fund all submitted eligible cost payments, the Superintendent shall prorate the reimbursement up to the amount of the appropriation.

  (7) An LEA shall permit the Superintendent to review accounting ledgers, student records, and transportation records upon request in order to determine:

  (a) a school's eligibility in accordance with Subsection (1); and

  (b) allowability of an LEA's submitted costs.