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An Act To Establish the Town Academy Advisory Council
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§13-A  is enacted to read:
 
13-A.   
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA c. 117, sub-c. 5  is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 5
TOWN ACADEMy ADVISORY COUNCIL
§ 3061.  Town Academy Advisory Council
The Town Academy Advisory Council is established within the department to advise the commissioner and the Legislature on matters related to development policies concerning the education of public tuition students at town academies. Town academies are private secondary schools serving primarily tuition students.
 
1.   Members.     The Town Academy Advisory Council, established under Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 13-A and referred to in this subchapter as "the council," consists of the following 7 members appointed by the Governor:
 
A.  The commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
 
B.  Three heads of town academies nominated by a statewide association representing town academies;
 
C.  A trustee of a town academy; and
 
D.  Two representatives of a statewide association of public school superintendents, nominated by that association, who have at least 2 years' experience working with a town academy.
 
2.  Duties.     The council shall:
 
A.  Provide advice regarding all rules and legislation proposed by the commissioner that refer or relate to town academies;
 
B.  Facilitate communication among town academies, the department and school superintendents; and
 
C.  Meet no less than twice each year to perform its duties.
 
3.  Quorum.     Four members of the council constitute a quorum.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Town Academy Advisory Council in the Department of Education. Its members are unpaid gubernatorial appointees representing heads and trustees of town academies and public school superintendents. The council is required to advise the Commissioner of Education on the needs of the town academies and to facilitate communication among the academies, the department and school superintendents.