Resolve, To Create the Task Force on School Leadership

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this resolve establishes the Task Force on School Leadership to conduct a comprehensive study of excellence in school leadership; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Task Force on School Leadership, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 17 members appointed as follows:

1. One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;

3. Seven members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

4. Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:

5. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee.

Prior to making appointments to the task force pursuant to subsections 3 and 4, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall seek nominations from the Maine Principals' Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall request the Maine Principals' Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association to survey their members for recommended nominations; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Meetings; duties. Resolved: That the task force shall meet twice in order to conduct a comprehensive study on excellence in school leadership in prekindergarten to grade 12 public schools. In performing its work, the task force shall research the various aspects of the issues related to excellence in school leadership and arrange presentations by recognized experts and practitioners in school leadership including an expert from a school administration preparation program at the University of Maine. The task force shall develop strategies to enhance the identification, recruitment, preparation, mentoring, evaluation, professional development and retention of effective public school principals and other public school leaders; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 2, 2015, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.