SF 1739

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:23am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; authorizing state grants to leverage quality
improvements in K-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 Minnesota Council for Quality'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 Minnesota
Quality 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 K-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 Minnesota Council for Quality 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 Minnesota
Council for Quality 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 Minnesota Council
for Quality "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 years 2010 and 2011
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 2012 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