Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall investigate and develop effective models of school governance with an emphasis upon reviewing and recommending models of governance that best support implementation of Maine's learning results under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6208 or section 6209. The task force shall review and consider, but need not be limited to, the recommendations of the 1995 report of the Committee to Study Organizational and Tax Issues in Public Schools as well as the 2000 Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education's study of school governance. The task force shall consider carefully the appropriate roles of school boards, superintendents, principals, teachers and other staff as well as the community or communities that comprise the local school unit in developing and governing a standards-based school system; and be if further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the task force may request staffing assistance from the Legislative Council. The task force may also request additional staffing and other assistance, as appropriate, from the Department of Education and other appropriate state agencies and educational institutions; and be it further

Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: That the members of the task force who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings of the task force. Other members of the task force who are not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred for their attendance at authorized meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 15, 2001, the task force shall submit its recommendations to the Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature any legislation necessary to implement the recommendations of the task force. If the task force requires a limited extension of time to conclude its work, it may apply to

the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further

Sec. 9. Budget. Resolved: That the chair of the task force, with assistance from the task force staff, shall administer the task force's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the task force shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for approval. The task force may not incur expenses that would result in the task force's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the task force, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the task force chair and staff with a status report on the task force's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds; and be it further

Sec. 10. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.

2001-02

LEGISLATURE

Task Force on School Governance

Endowment

All Other $25,000

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

SUMMARY

This resolve creates a task force to review the structure of school governance in the State through the roles of the school board, superintendent, principals, teachers and the broader school community.