The Board of Education will be reconsidering a proposed funding formula that would distribute money to schools based on student population.

A proposed weighted student formula was voted down last month, but brought back to the board at a meeting Thursday on Lana'i to be sent back to a committee for revision.

The Department of Education must adopt a weighted student formula before the next school year under the requirements of the Reinventing Education Act of 2004.

The goal of the formula is to distribute money more equitably among schools, with extra money targeted at students who need extra help, such as those who are poor, learning English as a second language or have special needs.

The latest version of the formula has been criticized by some BOE members, however, because some schools will lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. Among the hardest hit include the rural, remote, smaller and combination schools.

DOE spokesman Greg Knudsen said there was little discussion on the formula, other than testimony from Lana'i High and Elementary and Kohala High School on the devastating effects of the latest proposal.

In other action, the BOE gave final approval to a supplemental budget request. The board is asking for an additional $94 million in operating funds and $359 million in capital improvement funds in addition to the $2.1 billion budget it receives. The additional money would go toward making school facilities accessible to those with disabilities, and repair and maintenance.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.