3. It establishes a School Board for the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature.

4. It allows the school board to authorize and operate satellite school programs.

5. For the next 2 years, it establishes a limit on the number of students enrolled in the residential program at Mackworth Island. The superintendent of the school may request a waiver of the residential enrollment limit from the commissioner on a case- by-case basis if a student's individualized education plan requires a placement in a residential program. Also beginning with the 2002-03 school year, the school board must establish a satellite school program that offers an array of educational programs.

6. It requires a needs assessment to be conducted by a team appointed by the State Board of Education to determine the educational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in all geographic areas of the State. A preliminary report from the needs assessment team must be presented to the Legislature by February 1, 2001 and the final report is due by February 1, 2002. The needs assessment team will also make recommendations on the continued need for a limit on enrollment for the residential program on Mackworth Island and the enrollment capacity of the residential program at both Mackworth Island and any satellite program.

7. It requires submission of an annual budget request to the Legislature for approval and provides that the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf may keep any lapsed balances in its program account in fiscal years 1999-00 and 2000-01 for the purposes of implementing the basic school approval corrective action plan and preparing to accomplish the transition.