1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education finance; encouraging school programs offering alternative 
1.3 	school year calendars; authorizing grants; appropriating money;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 124D.12; 124D.126, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.12, is amended to read:
1.7 	124D.12 PURPOSE OF FLEXIBLE LEARNING YEAR PROGRAMS.
1.8 	Sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 authorize districts to evaluate, plan and employ the 
1.9 	use of flexible learning year programs. It is anticipated that the open selection of the type 
1.10 	of flexible learning year operation from a variety of alternatives will allow each district 
1.11 	seeking to utilize this concept to suitably fulfill the educational needs of its pupils. These 
1.12 	alternatives must include, but not be limited to, various 45-15 plans, four-quarter plans, 
1.13 	quinmester plans, extended learning year plans, flexible all-year plans, and four-day week 
1.14 	plans. Grants for these programs are available under section 124D.126, subdivision 3.

1.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.126, is amended by adding a 
1.17 	subdivision to read:
1.18 		Subd. 3.Grants. A school district or charter school that operates a flexible learning 
1.19 	year program is eligible for a grant. The district must apply for a grant in the form and 
1.20 	manner required by the commissioner of education. The commissioner must evaluate 
1.21 	grant proposals and may award grants of up to $50,000 per school site served by a flexible 
1.22 	learning year program. A school district may apply for a grant for more than one site. If 
2.1 	the appropriation for this program is insufficient, the commissioner may reduce grant 
2.2 	amounts to each site or establish a priority for grants based on each district's application.

2.3 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION.
 2.4 	$3,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2008 from the general fund to the 
2.5 	commissioner of education for purposes of making grants under section 2.