Updates to the Reorganization Law
Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner Maine Department of Education
May 2008
Per Public Law, 2000, chapter 668, as enacted by L.D. 2323, passed by the Legislature April 18, 2008
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NOT passed by the Legislature:
Waiver for units with fewer than 1,000 students
Charter communities exemption from budget validation referendum requirement
Exemption from referendum requirement if budget is less than 5% over EPS
Withdrawal from a CSD or SAD
Exemption for low population density
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Key Changes to the Reorganization Law
Removal of financial barriers
Isolated, rural communities
Alternative organizational structure
Transitional powers & duties of initial RSU board
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Removal of Financial Barriers
Minimum special education subsidy
Units that receive the minimum special education subsidy will retain their eligibility when they join a regional school unit
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Removal of Financial Barriers
Allow local cost-sharing agreements
Cost-sharing agreements may be based on: Number of resident pupils in each town; Property fiscal capacity of each member
municipality; Any combination of these and/or other factors.
Reorganization plans must include a process for amending the cost-sharing formula
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Removal of Financial Barriers
Raising 2 mills for education
Requirement removed
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Isolated, Rural Communities Allow isolated, rural units to serve 1,200 or
fewer students but not less than 1,000, if:
Comprised of 3 or more school administrative units; OR
Member municipalities of proposed RSU are surrounded by approved RSUs and there are no other SAUs to join; OR
Member municipalities of proposed RSU include 2 or more isolated small schools (defined in law)
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Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS)
An AOS is treated as one unit for the purposes of:
Calculating Essential Programs and Services (EPS)
State subsidy Required state and federal reporting
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Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) Consolidation of:
system administration special education administration transportation administration administration of business functions
Core curriculum Consistent school policies, school calendar,
and a plan for consistent collective bargaining agreements
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Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS)
Plan may include a collaborative agreement Plan must include an interlocal agreement Plan must include procedures for K-12
budget approval The budget validation referendum for all
members of the AOS must be conducted on the same day
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Other Substantive Changes to the Law
Core functions of RSU board Local school committees Budget process Penalties School property Deadlines
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RSU Board Core FunctionsThese responsibilities cannot be delegated Employment of superintendent Performance of business functions Special education administration Transportation Core curriculum Budget Reporting Employment School Calendar Adoption of policies
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Local School Committees
May be authorized by reorganization plan or RSU board
May delegate duties, functions not reserved for RSU board
May propose (local voters must approve) raising additional funds for local school(s) over and above RSU approved budget Law now allows for high schools, too
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Budget Process
All RSUs and all other SAUs must: Prepare school budgets showing the 11 cost
centers Hold a regional school unit budget meeting Hold a budget validation referendum
Retroactivity – SADs and CSDs will be approved for either using 6 or 11 cost centers for 2008-09 budgets
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Penalties for Non-conforming Units
Beginning in 2009-10, the local mill expectation is increased by 2% Other penalties remain unchanged
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School Property
Clarification of original law
Municipalities may retain ownership of school property The reorganization plan must include the clear
allocation of responsibilities for management, maintenance, etc.
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Changes to Deadlines
SAUs have until January 30, 2009 to hold a referendum on their reorganization plan Was November 4, 2008
Commissioner must report on the status of implementation and make recommendations on proposed legislation to the Education Committee by December 15, 2008 Was January 31, 2009
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