Section 198:48-a Alternative Kindergarten Programs.
I. A school district that currently does not operate a kindergarten program within an approved public school maintained by the local district or currently does not contract with another established public kindergarten program for the education of its resident kindergarten pupils, may submit to the commissioner of the department of education a local plan for an alternative kindergarten program based upon contractual arrangements with one or more nonpublic, non-sectarian schools or facilities. An alternative kindergarten program shall be:
(a) Offered immediately preceding the other elementary grades.
(b) Designed primarily for 5-year-olds.
(c) Available at district expense to all kindergarten-aged children who reside in the district.
II. An alternative kindergarten program shall satisfy the same criteria established for public kindergarten programs in the New Hampshire standards for school approval.
III. A local plan for an alternative kindergarten program shall be approved by the school board. A local plan for an alternative kindergarten program shall be submitted to the commissioner of the department of education at times established by the commissioner.
IV. A local plan shall contain the following information:
(a) A description of the alternative kindergarten program.
(b) A list of the nonpublic, non-sectarian schools or facilities to be utilized.
(c) Evidence that the alternative kindergarten program satisfies the same criteria established for public kindergarten programs in the New Hampshire minimum standards for the approval of schools.
(d) Procedures for coordinating and articulating curriculum, instruction, and support services provided under the alternative kindergarten program with curriculum, instruction, and support services provided in the other elementary grades.
(e) An explanation of how students will be transported to and from the schools or facilities to be utilized.
V. The plan shall be reviewed by the department of education for compliance with statutory requirements.
VI. If an approved alternative kindergarten program utilizes more than one school or facility, the school board or the superintendent or other administrative officer designated by the school board may take into consideration parental preference when assigning students to schools or facilities in accordance with the provisions of RSA 193:14.
VII. (a) Upon the effective date of this paragraph, and for each fiscal year through June 30, 2003, an adequate education grant of $1,200 per pupil shall be distributed to school districts, from the education trust fund created in RSA 198:39, for the education of its resident kindergarten pupils enrolled in an approved alternative kindergarten program established under this section.
(b) Once pupils enrolled in an approved alternative kindergarten program have been counted in the average daily membership in residence, school districts shall receive, for each such pupil, an adequate education grant calculated in accordance with RSA 198:41 through RSA 198:42.
VIII. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, alternative kindergarten programs which were approved and in effect prior to April 29, 1999 may continue to operate and shall continue to receive per pupil adequate education grant amounts in accordance with RSA 198:41 through RSA 198:42.
Source. 2000, 289:1. 2001, 158:36. 2005, 257:20. 2007, 270:3, eff. June 29, 2007. 2008, 384:4, eff. July 11, 2008.