SF 916

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/20/2015 08:56am

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for grants to teacher-powered schools;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.045, by
adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.045, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Teacher-powered schools; grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this
subdivision, the following terms have the meanings given to them:
new text end

new text begin (1) "launch school" means a school newly created under this section;
new text end

new text begin (2) "conversion school" means a school that is becoming a teacher-powered school
by a teacher vote under this section; and
new text end

new text begin (3) "teacher-powered school" means a school site in which the teachers comprise the
governance structure of the school, hold autonomies as specified in subdivision 2, and
assume responsibility for the school's success.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall, upon documented approval by the school board and
the exclusive representative of the teachers in that school of a launch or conversion
teacher-powered school, award a grant according to this paragraph:
new text end

new text begin (1) a planning grant, awarded for one year in advance of the opening of a launch or
conversion school and not to exceed $150,000; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a start-up grant, awarded for the initial two years of operation and not to exceed
$100,000 per year for a conversion school or $225,000 per year for a launch school.
new text end

new text begin (c) After 50 percent of the grant funds have been awarded, the commissioner shall
give preference in awarding grants to applicant school districts located in congressional
districts in which no grants have been made.
new text end

new text begin (d) A school district receiving a grant award under this subdivision must submit an
annual budget to the commissioner along with the documentation of the approval of the
school by the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers.
new text end

new text begin (e) A school district receiving a grant award must, annually by September 1 of each
year beginning September 1, 2016, submit a report to the commissioner to be shared with
the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 finance
and policy regarding the success of teacher-powered schools. Success measures include,
but are not limited to, the state multiple measure, surveys of parental satisfaction, and
other measures as might be relevant to the school's special mission.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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 in the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Teacher-powered school grants. new text end

new text begin For grants to teacher-powered schools
under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.045, subdivision 7:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 5,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2016 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 5,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2017 new text end

new text begin The base appropriation in fiscal year 2018 is $5,000,000. Any balance in the first year
does not cancel but is available in the second year.
new text end