SF 1540

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/05/2013 08:19am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; authorizing state grants to leverage quality
improvements in kindergarten through grade 12 education; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT GRANTS TO MINNESOTA SCHOOLS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of this section is to financially assist school
districts to participate in the Performance Excellence Network's organizational assessment
and performance improvement process. Grants are designed to help eliminate barriers
for school districts to achieve higher levels of performance, complete a Performance
Excellence Award application, and for those school districts recognized for achieving the
highest levels of performance to disseminate information and provide guidance to other
school districts and stakeholders about how they achieved their successful performance
outcomes. The goal of this section is to improve kindergarten through grade 12 education
in Minnesota by building on organizational structures, processes, and achievements
already in place.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Diligence grants. new text end

new text begin A school district may apply to the commissioner of
education for a diligence grant of an amount not to exceed $20,000. The application must
be in the form and manner specified by the commissioner and must include a documented
summary of the district's activities to receive Performance Excellence Network recognition
at the "Commitment" level or higher and action plans to implement activities that will
improve learning and overall district performance methods and outcomes. The statewide
total amount of grants awarded under this section must not exceed $300,000 in any given
legislative year. Districts must wait one year after receiving a diligence grant before
applying for a subsequent grant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Role model grants. new text end

new text begin A school district that has received a Performance
Excellence Network recognition at either the "Achievement" or "Excellence" level may
apply to the commissioner of education for a role model grant of an amount not to
exceed $500,000 for the first year following recognition. The role model grant must be
used by the district for costs associated with developing, communicating, and sharing
with other school districts and stakeholders its successful learning and overall district,
performance methods, and outcomes. For districts that achieve the "Excellence" level of
recognition, grant applications of an amount not to exceed $100,000 per year can be
made to help those districts continue communication and sharing information a second
and third year. For Minnesota school districts that achieve recognition as a Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, grant applications of an amount equal
to the Performance Excellence Network "Excellence" level can be made for similar
development, communication, and information-sharing purposes.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Appropriations. new text end

new text begin $1,300,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2014 and
$1,800,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2015 from the general fund to the commissioner
of education for purposes of making the grants authorized in subdivisions 2 and 3. The
budget base for this program is $1,800,000 for fiscal year 2016 and later. Any and all
grant money not awarded in any year is to be carried forward and made available for
additional eligible grant awards in future years.
new text end