CLASSROOM SUPPLY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

(a) The commissioner shall establish a reimbursement program under which the commissioner provides funds to a school district for the purpose of reimbursing classroom teachers in the district who expend personal funds on classroom supplies. A school district must match any funds provided to the district under the reimbursement program with local funds to be used for the same purpose.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules for the local allocation of funds provided to a school district under the reimbursement program. A school district shall allow each classroom teacher in the district who is reimbursed under the reimbursement program to use the funds in the teacher's discretion, except that the funds must be used for the benefit of the district's students. A school district may not use funds received under the reimbursement program to replace local funds used by the district for the same purpose.

(c) The commissioner shall identify state and federal funds available for use under the reimbursement program, including funds subject to the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 (20 U.S.C. Section 5891a et seq.), and its subsequent amendments, as well as consolidated administrative funds.

(d) The commissioner shall establish the reimbursement program for implementation beginning not later than the 2005-2006 school year. The commissioner may implement the reimbursement program only if funds are specifically appropriated by the legislature for the program or if the commissioner identifies available funds, other than general revenue funds, that may be used for the program.