§ 115C-472.24.  Disadvantaged student supplemental funding.

(a) To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, funds appropriated for disadvantaged student supplemental funding shall be used, consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by the State Board of Education, only to do the following:

(1) Provide instructional positions or instructional support positions.

(2) Provide professional development.

(3) Provide intensive in-school or after-school remediation, or both.

(4) Purchase diagnostic software and progress-monitoring tools.

(5) Provide funds for teacher bonuses and supplements. The State Board of Education shall set a maximum percentage of the funds that may be used for this purpose.

The State Board of Education may require local school administrative units receiving funding under the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund to purchase the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) in order to provide in-depth analysis of student performance and help identify strategies for improving student achievement. This data shall be used exclusively for instructional and curriculum decisions made in the best interest of children and for professional development for their teachers and administrators.

(b) Disadvantaged student supplemental funding (DSSF) shall be allotted to a local school administrative unit based on (i) the unit's eligible DSSF population and (ii) the difference between a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:21 and the following teacher-to-student ratios:

(1) For counties with wealth greater than ninety percent (90%) of the statewide average, a ratio of 1:19.9.

(2) For counties with wealth not less than eighty percent (80%) and not greater than ninety percent (90%) of the statewide average, a ratio of 1:19.4.

(3) For counties with wealth less than eighty percent (80%) of the statewide average, a ratio of 1:19.1.

(4) For local school administrative units that received DSSF funds in fiscal year 2005-2006, a ratio of 1:16. These local school administrative units shall receive no less than the DSSF amount allotted in fiscal year 2006-2007.

For the purpose of this subsection, wealth shall be calculated under the low-wealth supplemental formula as provided for in this Article.

(c) If a local school administrative unit's wealth increases to a level that adversely affects the unit's disadvantaged student supplemental funding (DSSF) allotment ratio, the DSSF allotment for that unit shall be maintained at the prior year level for one additional fiscal year. (2023-134, s. 7.3.)