1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to education; establishing a pilot project to examine how school districts 1.3might operate jointly to provide innovative delivery of programs and activities 1.4and share resources.1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.6    Section 1. INNOVATIVE DELIVERY OF EDUCATION SERVICES AND 1.7SHARING OF DISTRICT RESOURCES; PILOT PROJECT.1.8    Subdivision 1.Establishment; requirements for participation.(a) A five-year 1.9pilot project for the 2013-2014 through 2017-2018 school years is established to improve 1.10student and school outcomes by allowing groups of school districts to work together to 1.11provide innovative education programs and activities and share district resources.1.12(b) To participate in this pilot project to improve student and school outcomes, a 1.13group of two or more school districts must consult with school staff and receive formal 1.14school board approval to form a partnership. The partnership must develop a plan to 1.15provide challenging programmatic options for students, create professional development 1.16opportunities for educators, increase student engagement and connection and challenging 1.17learning opportunities for students, or demonstrate efficiencies in delivering financial and 1.18other services. The plan must establish:1.19(1) collaborative educational goals and objectives;1.20(2) strategies and processes to implement those goals and objectives, including a 1.21budget process with periodic expenditure reviews;1.22(3) valid and reliable measures to evaluate progress in realizing the goals and 1.23objectives;1.24(4) an implementation timeline; and2.1(5) other applicable conditions, regulations, responsibilities, duties, provisions, fee 2.2schedules, and legal considerations needed to fully implement the plan.2.3A partnership, with the education commissioner's approval, may invite additional 2.4districts to join the partnership during the pilot project term.2.5(c) A partnership of interested districts must apply by February 1, 2013, to the 2.6education commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner determines, consistent 2.7with this section. The application must contain the formal approval adopted by the school 2.8board in each district to participate in the plan.2.9(d) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, during the term of the pilot project 2.10participating districts may begin the school year before Labor Day, may adopt an extended 2.11school calendar, or may schedule staff development days throughout the calendar year.2.12(e) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, a participating school district under 2.13this section continues to receive revenue and maintain its taxation authority and be 2.14organized and governed by an elected school board with general powers under Minnesota 2.15Statutes, section 123B.02.2.16    Subd. 2.Commissioner's role.The education commissioner, using available 2.17education department staff and resources, must select between three and six qualified 2.18applicants under subdivision 1 on a first-come, first-served basis to participate in this pilot 2.19project. The commissioner must select only those applicants that fully comply with the 2.20requirements in subdivision 1. The commissioner must terminate a project participant that 2.21fails to effectively implement the goals and objectives contained in its application and 2.22according to its stated timeline.2.23    Subd. 3.Pilot project evaluation.Participating school districts must submit pilot 2.24project data to the commissioner in the form and manner determined by the commissioner. 2.25The education commissioner must analyze participating districts' progress in realizing 2.26their educational goals and objectives to work together in providing innovative education 2.27programs and activities and sharing resources. The commissioner must include the 2.28analysis in a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten 2.29through grade 12 education finance and policy on the efficacy of this pilot project. The 2.30commissioner may submit an interim project report at any time and must submit a final 2.31report to the legislature by February 1, 2018, recommending whether or not to continue or 2.32expand the pilot project.2.33EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment 2.34and applies to the 2013-2014 through 2017-2018 school years.