Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Direct a Study of the Regional Adjustment for School Administrative Units

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 directs the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Maine Education Policy Research Institute, to study the regional adjustment for school administrative units under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act; 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. Study of the regional adjustment for school administrative units. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall direct the Maine Education Policy Research Institute, in the institute's review of the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act, to study and report to the department on the regional adjustment for school administrative units under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act. The study must include an update of the data that is used to calculate the regional adjustment to reflect the current economic environment and must include an analysis of how any adjustment to, or removal of, the regional adjustment in the funding formula would affect all school administrative units. The department shall submit the report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than January 15, 2020. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

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