Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA c. 606-B is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 606-B

ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

§15671.__Essential programs and services

Essential programs and services are those educational resources that must be provided for all students to meet the standards in the 8 content areas of the system of learning results established in chapter 222.__In order to achieve this system of learning results, essential programs and services must be available in all schools on an equitable basis.__Essential programs and services utilize resources that are currently provided or could be adapted to implement a system of learning results, as well as additional resources that are also needed to ensure that these programs and services are available to all students.__These essential programs and services will be available in all schools by 2006-07.__This school funding must be adequate to fully provide for all of the staffing and other material resource needs of the essential programs and services identified by the Legislature.

1.__State and local partnership. The State and each local school administrative unit are jointly responsible for contributing to the cost of the components of essential programs and services described in this section.

2.__Per-pupil guarantee amounts. A per-pupil guarantee represents the amount of funds that is to be made available for each subsidizable pupil.__Three per-pupil guarantee amounts must be calculated, reflecting school level cost differences:__one for kindergarten to grade 5, one for grades 6 to 8 and one for grades 9 to 12.__These per-pupil guarantees must be modified as appropriate for specialized student populations.__The per-pupil guarantee represents the annual cost of staffing and material resources that are appropriately allocated on a per-pupil basis.__ Categories of staffing and resources are as follows:

A.__School personnel, including regular and special subject teachers, educational technicians, guidance, library, health services, administration, support or clerical staff and substitute teachers;

B.__Supplies and equipment;