(a) The cost of educating students who are deaf or hard of hearing shall be borne by the state and paid from the foundation school fund, but independent school districts and institutions of higher education in the state may and are encouraged to make available property or services in cooperation with the regional day school programs for the deaf for any activities related to the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including research, personnel training, and staff development.
(b) From the amount appropriated for regional day school programs, the commissioner shall allocate funds to each program based on the number of weighted full-time equivalent students served. The commissioner may consider local resources available in allocating funds under this subsection.

(c) A school district may receive an allotment for transportation of students participating in a regional day school program, determined in the same manner as an allotment for the transportation of other special education students.