Contains whereas clauses.

Amends the percentage prong of GS 115C-111.05 (funding for children of disabilities), as follows. Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to now allocate funds for children with disabilities to each local school administrative unit on a per child basis with each unit receiving funds for the lesser of either: (1) all children who are identified as children with disabilities or (2) 16% (was, 13%) of its allotted average daily membership in the unit for the current school year.

Appropriates $82.8 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for funding for children with disabilities.

Enacts GS 115C-111.11 mandating that DPI maintain a High-Cost Disabilities Support Fund (HCDSF) to provide funds to local school administrative units and charter schools for costs associated with educating children with disabilities who require intensive and specialized services. Requires DPI to allocate funds for the three described purposes. Requires SBE to adopt rules governing the use of funds from the HCDSF including at least the three specified matters.

Appropriates $15 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to be used for the purposes set out in GS 115C-111.11.

Effective July 1, 2026, and applies to funds allocated for children with disabilities beginning with the 2026-27 school year.