CHAPTER 225
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 231
AN ACT CREATING A PUBLIC EDUCATION CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION FUND AND APPROPRIATING NINE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL FISCAL RELIEF FUND FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE :
Section 1. There is hereby created a special fund within the Budget Office Contingency and One-Time Account (10-02-04) entitled the “Public Education Classroom Instruction Fund”. Such fund shall be administered by the State Budget Director with the approval of the Controller General, in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) in Appropriated Special Funds is hereby appropriated from the “Federal Fiscal Relief Fund” received under Title VI of the Federal Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. §801] and shall be deposited to the Public Education Classroom Instruction Fund.
Section 2. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this Act, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) shall be apportioned equally among all the State’s public school and charter school libraries. These funds shall be used to purchase library books and library materials.
Section 3. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of this Act, Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) shall be allocated to the reorganized school districts and charter schools based on each district’s/charter’s proportionate share of September 30, 2003 certified Division I units. These funds may only be used to purchase textbooks and workbooks, additional library books and library materials, and instructional computer hardware and software.
Section 4. The funds allocated pursuant to this Act shall supplement the existing level of State and local expenditures in support of classroom instruction and library materials.
Section 5. In order that each district may benefit from maximum efficiency, delivery charges, and related complimentary materials, each district and charter school shall submit to the Department of Education, the Budget Director and the Controller General, a plan outlining specific proposed purchases. The Department of Education and the Department of Administrative Services shall offer to collaborate in negotiating such purchases. Funds shall be transferred to each district or charter school within 30 days of the receipt of the district or charter expenditure plan.
Section 6. Any funds remaining in the Public Education Classroom Instructional Fund as of June 30, 2006 shall revert to the Federal Fiscal Relief Fund. In addition, no Fiscal Year 2004 or prior year expenditure may be recoded to this appropriation.