HF 247

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/27/2019 01:09pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a grant program to increase student access to
licensed library media specialists; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Library media specialist" means an individual licensed in Minnesota under Minnesota
Rules, part 8710.4550, or a person actively seeking that license.
new text end

new text begin (c) "New position" means a library media specialist full-time or part-time position not
under contract by a school at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The library media specialist grant program is designed to:
new text end

new text begin (1) address shortages of library media specialists within Minnesota schools; and
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new text begin (2) ensure that students receive effective academic support and integrated and
comprehensive services to improve prekindergarten through grade 12 school outcomes and
career and college readiness.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant eligibility and application. new text end

new text begin (a) A school district, charter school, or tribal
contract school is eligible to apply for a six-year matching grant under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of education must specify the form and manner of the grant
application. In awarding grants, the commissioner must give priority to schools in which
library media specialist positions do not currently exist. To the extent practicable, the
commissioner must award grants equally between applicants in metropolitan counties and
nonmetropolitan counties.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Allowed uses; match requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A grant under this section must be
used to hire an employee for a new position.
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new text begin (b) An eligible school located in a metropolitan county that receives a grant must match
the grant with local funds in each year of the grant. In each of the first four years of the
grant, the local match equals $1 for every $1 awarded in the same year. In years five and
six of the grant, the local match equals $3 for every $1 awarded in the same year. The local
match may not include federal reimbursements attributable to the new position.
new text end

new text begin (c) An eligible school located in a nonmetropolitan county that receives a grant must
match the grant with local funds in years four, five, and six of the grant. In year four of the
grant, the local match equals $1 for every $3 awarded in the same year. In year five of the
grant, the local match equals $1 for every $1 awarded in the same year. In year six of the
grant, the local match equals $3 for every $1 awarded in the same year. The local match
may not include federal reimbursements attributable to the new position.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a school eliminates a new position funded by a grant under this section before the
end of the six-year grant period, the district must return the entire amount of the grant to
the commissioner, including any amounts received in previous years. The commissioner
may reallocate any returned funds to other eligible grant recipients.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By February 1 following any fiscal year in which a school
received a grant, the school must submit a written report to the commissioner indicating
how a new position affected two or more of the following measures:
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new text begin (1) student reading performance on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments;
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new text begin (2) library circulation and usage;
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new text begin (3) attainment of technology standards;
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new text begin (4) technical literacy;
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new text begin (5) media literacy;
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new text begin (6) effective research skills;
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new text begin (7) career and college readiness; and
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new text begin (8) effectiveness of district one-to-one technology plans.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Library media specialist grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For library media specialist grants:
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new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2020 new text end

new text begin (b) This is a onetime appropriation.
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new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, this appropriation is available
until June 30, 2025. Up to five percent of this appropriation may be retained by the
commissioner for administration of the grant program. Any balance remaining after June
30, 2025, shall cancel to the general fund.
new text end