SECTION 210:40-67-4. Guidelines for application

(a)   The LEA making application for the grant and serving as fiscal agent for the cooperative shall have an average daily attendance (ADA) of 800 or less.

(b)   A cooperative may be formed by a school district with an average daily attendance of 800 or less with one or more districts of any size.

(c)   The term of the grant shall be for one year, with no assurance of future funding. No school site shall receive funding for more than three years.

(d)   Although districts of any size can participate in a cooperative grant program, funding for this grant can only be expended for the cooperative districts' members with an average daily attendance of 800 or less.

(e)   A cooperative may be formed by a school district with an average daily attendance of 800 or less and an accredited institution of higher education.

(f)   Classes may be offered in this cooperative arrangement in mathematics, science, foreign language, computer education, or music.

(g)   Cooperative programs can be developed to serve elementary or secondary students. Priority will be given to those programs that emphasize classes required for high school graduation and college admission.

(h)   Funding provided in these grants shall be expended for instructional related personnel, instructional equipment, transportation and/or materials.

(i)   No funds provided shall be used for construction of buildings, furniture, or utilities including telecommunication service charges.

(j)   A cooperative of two districts will qualify for the funding of no more than one shared teacher.

(k)   A cooperative of more than two districts will qualify for the funding of no more than two shared teachers.

(l)   A given district may not receive funding for more than one Small School Cooperative project in the same fiscal year.

(m)   A cooperative with an institution of higher education for the purposes of delivering satellite instruction in one of the qualifying subjects will be limited to $10,000. These grants are one year only, and may not be expended for salaries.

(n)   The maximum level of funding for a cooperative program shall be subject to legislation.

(o)   Each calculated award shall be reduced by 25 percent for each district participating whose previous year-per-child revenue less federal revenue is greater than 150 percent of the state average.