(a) “Related services unit” is defined for funding purposes as 1 funding unit for each 57 units of the K-3, 4-12 (regular education) and basic units. For the pre-K-12 intensive the ratio shall be 1 funding unit for each 5.5 units. For the pre-K-12 complex the ratio shall be 1 funding unit for each 3.0 units. Four related services units shall be assigned to support the state-wide deaf-blind program.
(b) Each pupil counted in establishing a unit for children with disabilities may be counted only once in a district. For pupils who attend schools in more than 1 district during each school day, the pupil is to be counted in each school district for the portion of the day that the pupil is in attendance there.
(c) For purposes of this section, “children with disabilities” shall include pupils meeting the definition set forth in Chapter 31 of this title, as further defined according to rules and regulations of the Department with approval of the State Board of Education.
(d) “Related services” shall be special services provided for children with disabilities and shall be defined in rules and regulations of the Department with approval of the State Board of Education. Rules and regulations may include, but are not limited to, such services as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, early identification and assessment of disabilities, special counseling services, developmental, corrective or supportive services that may assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Medical services provided shall be for diagnostic or evaluation purposes only. Special transportation services provided from this funding shall be only those services unique to a particular disability and shall be services provided during the school program and shall not include transportation to and from school.
(e) Funds appropriated in support of this unit may be used for expenditures under Division I or Division II for the purchase of assistive materials or services from persons or agencies to be used in support of students with disabilities herein authorized and for no other purpose.
(f) The dollar value of this unit, when applied to the employment of a full-time certified person such as, but not limited to, a teacher, a therapist or a specialist, shall be as provided in this title, but, when applied as herein authorized for other related services, shall be the number of dollars set in the state-supported salary schedule for a teacher holding a master's degree with 10 years of experience and employed for 10 months. The calculation of this funding shall be for the current school year. Expenditures on behalf of this unit when used for the purchase of services shall be up to but not in excess of the amount herein authorized.
(g) Funding authorized by this section shall be used to supplement regular school programs for children with disabilities, and may provide for the assignment of 1060 hours of school attendance and the full work days of employment as described in § 1305 of this title to be assigned during any of the months of a 12-month fiscal year beginning July 1.
(h) Any school district wishing to use funds under any of the options set forth in this section shall make application to the Department of Education for that use; provided, that the State Board may review any objection to the Department's decision. The application shall indicate that these funds are being used to supplement programs in the school district and that their use will not supplant personnel, services, supplies or materials provided from local funding sources.