An Act To Modify The Calculation Of Pupil Counts Used For Determination Of School Administrative Unit Operating Costs

LD 181 modifies how Maine school districts calculate student enrollment for funding. It changes the method used to determine "pupil counts" for school operating costs, shifting from a two-year average to a three-year average starting in fiscal year 2026-27, with a special rule for districts experiencing a 10% or greater enrollment decline. The bill affects all Maine school administrative units (districts), as their state funding depends on these calculated counts. Key provisions include using the greater of a three-year average or the most recent single-year count for funding after 2026-27, and maintaining special education funding rules tied to the updated enrollment data. This directly impacts how school budgets are allocated based on student population trends.