as introduced - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to education; eliminating the state board of 1.3 education; creating a board of the Faribault 1.4 academies; transferring certain state board of 1.5 education duties to the commissioner of children, 1.6 families, and learning; prohibiting racial 1.7 segregation; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 1.8 sections 15.014, subdivision 3; 119B.20, subdivisions 1.9 5, 8, and 12; 120.03, subdivisions 1 and 5; 120.062, 1.10 subdivision 5; 120.064, subdivisions 4, 14, 17, 21, 1.11 and 24; 120.101, subdivisions 7 and 8; 120.102, 1.12 subdivision 3; 120.17, subdivisions 3, 3b, and 7a; 1.13 120.66, subdivisions 1 and 2; 121.02, subdivision 1; 1.14 121.1115, subdivision 1; 121.14; 121.148, subdivision 1.15 3; 121.16, by adding subdivisions; 121.1601, 1.16 subdivision 2; 121.612, subdivisions 2, 3, 6, 7, and 1.17 9; 125.05, subdivisions 1, 4, and 8; 125.1885, 1.18 subdivisions 1, 4, and 5; 128A.02, subdivisions 1, 3, 1.19 3b, 5, 6, and by adding a subdivision; 128A.022; 1.20 128A.023, subdivisions 1 and 2; 128A.026, subdivisions 1.21 1 and 3; 128A.07, subdivision 2; 169.448, subdivision 1.22 2; and 471.18; Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, 1.23 sections 16B.465, subdivision 4; 120.05, subdivision 1.24 2; 120.064, subdivisions 8, 10, and 14a; 120.1045, 1.25 subdivision 1; 121.615, subdivisions 2, 6, 7, and 10; 1.26 125.05, subdivisions 1c and 2; 128A.02, subdivision 7; 1.27 169.974, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law 1.28 in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120; repealing 1.29 Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 121.02, subdivisions 1.30 2a, 3, and 4; and 121.11, subdivisions 5, 7, 7b, 7d, 1.31 9, 11, 12, and 14; Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, 1.32 section 121.11, subdivisions 7c and 7e. 1.33 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.34 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 15.014, 1.35 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 1.36 Subd. 3. [TASK FORCE FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.] 1.37 In addition to the task forces for which compensation of members 1.38 is authorized in subdivision 2, thestate board of1.39educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning may 2.1 createnot to exceedno more than ten task forces, to be 2.2 compensated as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6. A 2.3 task force created pursuant to this subdivision shall be for 2.4 curriculum development purposes only and shall expire within one 2.5 year after its creation. The task force shall report to 2.6 thestate boardcommissioner before its expiration or upon the 2.7 completion of its task, whichever occurs first. 2.8 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 2.9 16B.465, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 2.10 Subd. 4. [PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.] (a) The commissioner may 2.11 require the participation of state agencies, the state board of2.12education,and the board of trustees of the Minnesota state 2.13 colleges and universities and may request the participation of 2.14 the board of regents of the University of Minnesota, in the 2.15 planning and implementation of the network to provide 2.16 interconnective technologies. The commissioner shall establish 2.17 reimbursement rates in cooperation with the commissioner of 2.18 finance to be billed to participating agencies and educational 2.19 institutions sufficient to cover the operating, maintenance, and 2.20 administrative costs of the system. 2.21 (b) A direct appropriation made to an educational 2.22 institution for usage costs associated with MNet must only be 2.23 used by the educational institution for payment of usage costs 2.24 of the network as billed by the commissioner of administration. 2.25 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 119B.20, 2.26 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 2.27 Subd. 5. [CHILD CARE WORKER.] "Child care worker" means a 2.28 person who cares for children for compensation, including a 2.29 licensed provider of child care services, an employee of a 2.30 provider, a person who has applied for a license as a provider, 2.31 or a person who meets the standards established by thestate2.32board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 2.33 learning. 2.34 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 119B.20, 2.35 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 2.36 Subd. 8. [INTERIM FINANCING.] "Interim financing" means 3.1 funds to carry out such activities as are necessary for family 3.2 day care homes, group family day care homes, and child care 3.3 centers to receive and maintain state licensing, to expand an 3.4 existing program or to improve program quality, and to provide 3.5 operating funds for a period of six consecutive months after a 3.6 family day care home, group family day care home, or child care 3.7 center becomes licensed or satisfies standards of thestate3.8board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 3.9 learning. Interim financing may not exceed a period of 18 3.10 months. 3.11 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 119B.20, 3.12 subdivision 12, is amended to read: 3.13 Subd. 12. [TRAINING PROGRAM.] "Training program" means 3.14 child development courses offered by an accredited 3.15 post-secondary institution or similar training approved by a 3.16 county board or the department of children, families, and 3.17 learning. To qualify as a training program under this section, 3.18 a course of study must teach specific skills that meet licensing 3.19 requirements or requirements of thestate board of3.20educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 3.21 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.03, 3.22 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 3.23 Subdivision 1. Every child who has a hearing impairment, 3.24 visual disability, speech or language impairment, physical 3.25 handicap, other health impairment, mental handicap, 3.26 emotional/behavioral disorder, specific learning disability, or 3.27 deaf/blind disability and needs special instruction and 3.28 services, as determined by the standards of thestate3.29boardcommissioner, is a child with a disability. In addition, 3.30 every child under age five who needs special instruction and 3.31 services, as determined by the standards of thestate board3.32 commissioner, because the child has a substantial delay or has 3.33 an identifiable physical or mental condition known to hinder 3.34 normal development is a child with a disability. 3.35 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.03, 3.36 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 4.1 Subd. 5. A child with a short-term or temporary physical 4.2 or emotional illness or disability, as determined by the 4.3 standards of thestate boardcommissioner, is not a child with a 4.4 disability. 4.5 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 4.6 120.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 4.7 Subd. 2. [DEFINITIONS.] (1) Elementary school means any 4.8 school with building, equipment, courses of study, class 4.9 schedules, enrollment of pupils ordinarily in prekindergarten 4.10 through grade 6 or any portion thereof and staff meeting the 4.11 standards established by thestate board of education4.12 commissioner of children, families, and learning. 4.13 Thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 4.14 families, and learning shall not close a school or deny any 4.15 state aids to a district for its elementary schools because of 4.16 enrollment limitations classified in accordance with the 4.17 provisions of clause (1). 4.18 (2) Middle school means any school other than a secondary 4.19 school giving an approved course of study in a minimum of three 4.20 consecutive grades above 4th but below 10th with building, 4.21 equipment, courses of study, class schedules, enrollment, and 4.22 staff meeting the standards established by thestate board of4.23educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 4.24 (3) Secondary school means any school with building, 4.25 equipment, courses of study, class schedules, enrollment of 4.26 pupils ordinarily in grades 7 through 12 or any portion thereof, 4.27 and staff meeting the standards established by thestate board4.28of educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 4.29 (4) A vocational center school is one serving a group of 4.30 secondary schools with approved areas of secondary vocational 4.31 training and offering vocational secondary and adult programs 4.32 necessary to meet local needs and meeting standards established 4.33 by thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 4.34 families, and learning. 4.35 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.062, 4.36 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 5.1 Subd. 5. [DESEGREGATION DISTRICT TRANSFERS.] (a) This 5.2 subdivision applies to a transfer into or out of a district that 5.3 has a desegregation plan approved by the commissioner of 5.4 children, families, and learning. 5.5 (b) An application to transfer may be submitted at any time 5.6 for enrollment beginning at any time. 5.7 (c) The parent or guardian of a pupil who is a resident of 5.8 a district that has a desegregation plan must submit an 5.9 application to the resident district. If the district accepts 5.10 the application, it must forward the application to the 5.11 nonresident district. 5.12 (d) The parent or guardian of a pupil who applies for 5.13 enrollment in a nonresident district that has a desegregation 5.14 plan must submit an application to the nonresident district. 5.15 (e) Each district must accept or reject an application it 5.16 receives and notify the parent or guardian in writing within 30 5.17 calendar days of receiving the application. A notification of 5.18 acceptance must include the date enrollment can begin. 5.19 (f) If an application is rejected, the district must state 5.20 the reason for rejection in the notification. If a district 5.21 that has a desegregation plan rejects an application for a 5.22 reason related to the desegregation plan, the district must 5.23 state with specificity how acceptance of the application would 5.24 result in noncompliance withstate boarddepartment rules with 5.25 respect to the school or program for which application was made. 5.26 (g) If an application is accepted, the parent or guardian 5.27 must notify the nonresident district in writing within 15 5.28 calendar days of receiving the acceptance whether the pupil 5.29 intends to enroll in the nonresident district. Notice of 5.30 intention to enroll obligates the pupil to enroll in the 5.31 nonresident district, unless the school boards of the resident 5.32 and nonresident districts agree otherwise. If a parent or 5.33 guardian does not notify the nonresident district, the pupil may 5.34 not enroll in that nonresident district at that time, unless the 5.35 school boards of the resident and nonresident district agree 5.36 otherwise. 6.1 (h) Within 15 calendar days of receiving the notice from 6.2 the parent or guardian, the nonresident district shall notify 6.3 the resident district in writing of the pupil's intention to 6.4 enroll in the nonresident district. 6.5 (i) A pupil enrolled in a nonresident district under this 6.6 subdivision is not required to make annual or periodic 6.7 application for enrollment but may remain enrolled in the same 6.8 district. A pupil may transfer to the resident district at any 6.9 time. 6.10 (j) A pupil enrolled in a nonresident district and applying 6.11 to transfer into or out of a district that has a desegregation 6.12 plan must follow the procedures of this subdivision. For the 6.13 purposes of this type of transfer, "resident district" means the 6.14 nonresident district in which the pupil is enrolled at the time 6.15 of application. 6.16 (k) A district that has a desegregation plan approved by 6.17 thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, families, 6.18 and learning must accept or reject each individual application 6.19 in a manner that will enable compliance with its desegregation 6.20 plan. 6.21 Sec. 10. [120.0635] [RACIAL SEGREGATION PROHIBITED.] 6.22 Subdivision 1. [DEFINITION.] (a) "Racial segregation" 6.23 means the intentional act or acts by a school district that has 6.24 the discriminatory purpose of causing students to attend 6.25 particular programs or schools within the district on the basis 6.26 of their race and causes a concentration of students of color at 6.27 a particular school. 6.28 (b) It is not segregation if the concentration of students 6.29 of color has occurred as the result of choices by parents, 6.30 students, or both. 6.31 Subd. 2. [PROHIBITION.] Racial segregation is not 6.32 permitted in any school district. 6.33 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.064, 6.34 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 6.35 Subd. 4. [FORMATION OF SCHOOL.] (a) A sponsor may 6.36 authorize one or more licensed teachers under section 125.05, 7.1 subdivision 1, to operate a charter school subject to approval 7.2 by thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 7.3 families, and learning. If a school board elects not to sponsor 7.4 a charter school, the applicant may appeal the school board's 7.5 decision to thestate board of educationcommissioner of 7.6 children, families, and learning if two members of the school 7.7 board voted to sponsor the school. If thestate7.8boardcommissioner authorizes the school, thestate board7.9 commissioner shall sponsor the school according to this 7.10 section. The school shall be organized and operated as a 7.11 cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit corporation under 7.12 chapter 317A. 7.13 (b) Before the operators may form and operate a school, the 7.14 sponsor must file an affidavit with thestate board of education7.15 commissioner of children, families, and learning stating its 7.16 intent to authorize a charter school. The affidavit must state 7.17 the terms and conditions under which the sponsor would authorize 7.18 a charter school. Thestate boardcommissioner must approve or 7.19 disapprove the sponsor's proposed authorization within 60 days 7.20 of receipt of the affidavit. Failure to obtainstate boardthe 7.21 commissioner's approval precludes a sponsor from authorizing the 7.22 charter school that was the subject of the affidavit. 7.23 (c) The operators authorized to organize and operate a 7.24 school shall hold an election for members of the school's board 7.25 of directors in a timely manner after the school is operating. 7.26 Any staff members who are employed at the school, including 7.27 teachers providing instruction under a contract with a 7.28 cooperative, and all parents of children enrolled in the school 7.29 may participate in the election. Licensed teachers employed at 7.30 the school, including teachers providing instruction under a 7.31 contract with a cooperative, must be a majority of the members 7.32 of the board of directors. A provisional board may operate 7.33 before the election of the school's board of directors. Board 7.34 of director meetings must comply with section 471.705. 7.35 (d) The granting or renewal of a charter by a sponsoring 7.36 entity shall not be conditioned upon the bargaining unit status 8.1 of the employees of the school. 8.2 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 8.3 120.064, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 8.4 Subd. 8. [REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A charter school shall meet 8.5 all applicable state and local health and safety requirements. 8.6 (b) A school sponsored by a school board may be located in 8.7 any district, unless the school board of the district of the 8.8 proposed location disapproves by written resolution. If such a 8.9 school board denies a request to locate within its boundaries a 8.10 charter school sponsored by another school board, the sponsoring 8.11 school board may appeal to thestate board of education8.12 commissioner of children, families, and learning. If thestate8.13boardcommissioner authorizes the school, thestate board8.14 commissioner shall sponsor the school. 8.15 (c) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, 8.16 admission policies, employment practices, and all other 8.17 operations. A sponsor may not authorize a charter school or 8.18 program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or 8.19 a religious institution. 8.20 (d) Charter schools shall not be used as a method of 8.21 providing education or generating revenue for students who are 8.22 being home-schooled. 8.23 (e) The primary focus of a charter school must be to 8.24 provide a comprehensive program of instruction for at least one 8.25 grade or age group from five through 18 years of age. 8.26 Instruction may be provided to people younger than five years 8.27 and older than 18 years of age. 8.28 (f) A charter school may not charge tuition. 8.29 (g) A charter school is subject to and shall comply with 8.30 chapter 363 and section 126.21. 8.31 (h) A charter school is subject to and shall comply with 8.32 The Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 127.26 to 127.39, and the 8.33 Minnesota public school fee law, sections 120.71 to 120.76. 8.34 (i) A charter school is subject to the same financial 8.35 audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as a school 8.36 district. The audit must be consistent with the requirements of 9.1 sections 121.904 to 121.917, except to the extent deviations are 9.2 necessary because of the program at the school. The department 9.3 of children, families, and learning, state auditor, or 9.4 legislative auditor may conduct financial, program, or 9.5 compliance audits. 9.6 (j) A charter school is a school district for the purposes 9.7 of tort liability under chapter 466. 9.8 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 9.9 120.064, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 9.10 Subd. 10. [PUPIL PERFORMANCE.] A charter school must 9.11 design its programs to at least meet the outcomes adopted by the 9.12state board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 9.13 learning for public school students. In the absence ofstate9.14boardrequirements adopted by the commissioner, the school must 9.15 meet the outcomes contained in the contract with the sponsor. 9.16 The achievement levels of the outcomes contained in the contract 9.17 may exceed the achievement levels of any outcomes adopted by the 9.18state boardcommissioner for public school students. 9.19 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.064, 9.20 subdivision 14, is amended to read: 9.21 Subd. 14. [REPORTS.] A charter school must report at least 9.22 annually to its sponsor and thestate board of education9.23 commissioner of children, families, and learning the information 9.24 required by the sponsor or thestate boardcommissioner. The 9.25 reports are public data under chapter 13. 9.26 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 9.27 120.064, subdivision 14a, is amended to read: 9.28 Subd. 14a. [REVIEW AND COMMENT.] The department shall 9.29 review and comment on the evaluation, by the chartering school 9.30 district, of the performance of a charter school before the 9.31 charter school's contract is renewed. The information from the 9.32 review and comment shall be reported to thestate board of9.33educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning in a 9.34 timely manner. Periodically, thestate boardcommissioner shall 9.35 report trends or suggestions based on the evaluation of charter 9.36 school contracts to the education committees of the state 10.1 legislature. 10.2 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.064, 10.3 subdivision 17, is amended to read: 10.4 Subd. 17. [INITIAL COSTS.] A sponsor may authorize a 10.5 charter school before the applicant has secured its space, 10.6 equipment, facilities, and personnel if the applicant indicates 10.7 the authority is necessary for it to raise working capital. A 10.8 sponsor may not authorize a school before thestate board of10.9educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning has 10.10 approved the authorization. 10.11 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.064, 10.12 subdivision 21, is amended to read: 10.13 Subd. 21. [CAUSES FOR NONRENEWAL OR TERMINATION.] (a) The 10.14 duration of the contract with a sponsor shall be for the term 10.15 contained in the contract according to subdivision 5. The 10.16 sponsor may or may not renew a contract at the end of the term 10.17 for any ground listed in paragraph (b). A sponsor may 10.18 unilaterally terminate a contract during the term of the 10.19 contract for any ground listed in paragraph (b). At least 60 10.20 days before not renewing or terminating a contract, the sponsor 10.21 shall notify the board of directors of the charter school of the 10.22 proposed action in writing. The notice shall state the grounds 10.23 for the proposed action in reasonable detail and that the 10.24 charter school's board of directors may request in writing an 10.25 informal hearing before the sponsor within 14 days of receiving 10.26 notice of nonrenewal or termination of the contract. Failure by 10.27 the board of directors to make a written request for a hearing 10.28 within the 14-day period shall be treated as acquiescence to the 10.29 proposed action. Upon receiving a timely written request for a 10.30 hearing, the sponsor shall give reasonable notice to the charter 10.31 school's board of directors of the hearing date. The sponsor 10.32 shall conduct an informal hearing before taking final action. 10.33 The sponsor shall take final action to renew or not renew a 10.34 contract by the last day of classes in the school year. If the 10.35 sponsor is a local school board, the school's board of directors 10.36 may appeal the sponsor's decision to thestate board of11.1educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 11.2 (b) A contract may be terminated or not renewed upon any of 11.3 the following grounds: 11.4 (1) failure to meet the requirements for pupil performance 11.5 contained in the contract; 11.6 (2) failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal 11.7 management; 11.8 (3) for violations of law; or 11.9 (4) other good cause shown. 11.10 If a contract is terminated or not renewed, the school 11.11 shall be dissolved according to the applicable provisions of 11.12 chapter 308A or 317A. 11.13 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.064, 11.14 subdivision 24, is amended to read: 11.15 Subd. 24. [IMMUNITY.] Thestate board of education,11.16members of the state boardcommissioner of children, families, 11.17 and learning, a sponsor, members of the board of a sponsor in 11.18 their official capacity, and employees of a sponsor are immune 11.19 from civil or criminal liability with respect to all activities 11.20 related to a charter school they approve or sponsor. The board 11.21 of directors shall obtain at least the amount of and types of 11.22 insurance required by the contract, according to subdivision 5. 11.23 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.101, 11.24 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 11.25 Subd. 7. [REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS.] A person who is 11.26 providing instruction to a child must meet at least one of the 11.27 following requirements: 11.28 (1) hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field 11.29 and for the grade level taught; 11.30 (2) be directly supervised by a person holding a valid 11.31 Minnesota teaching license; 11.32 (3) successfully complete a teacher competency examination; 11.33 (4) provide instruction in a school that is accredited by 11.34 an accrediting agency, recognized according to section 123.935, 11.35 subdivision 7, or recognized by thestate board of11.36educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning; 12.1 (5) hold a baccalaureate degree; or 12.2 (6) be the parent of a child who is assessed according to 12.3 the procedures in subdivision 8. 12.4 Any person providing instruction in a public school must 12.5 meet the requirements of clause (1). 12.6 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.101, 12.7 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 12.8 Subd. 8. [ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE.] (a) Each year the 12.9 performance of every child who is not enrolled in a public 12.10 school must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced 12.11 standardized achievement examination. The superintendent of the 12.12 district in which the child receives instruction and the person 12.13 in charge of the child's instruction must agree about the 12.14 specific examination to be used and the administration and 12.15 location of the examination. 12.16 (b) To the extent the examination in paragraph (a) does not 12.17 provide assessment in all of the subject areas in subdivision 6, 12.18 the parent must assess the child's performance in the applicable 12.19 subject area. This requirement applies only to a parent who 12.20 provides instruction and does not meet the requirements of 12.21 subdivision 7, clause (1), (2), or (3). 12.22 (c) If the results of the assessments in paragraphs (a) and 12.23 (b) indicate that the child's performance on the total battery 12.24 score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level 12.25 below the performance level for children of the same age, the 12.26 parent shall obtain additional evaluation of the child's 12.27 abilities and performance for the purpose of determining whether 12.28 the child has learning problems. 12.29 (d) A child receiving instruction from a nonpublic school, 12.30 person, or institution that is accredited by an accrediting 12.31 agency, recognized according to section 123.935, subdivision 7, 12.32 or recognized by thestate board of educationcommissioner of 12.33 children, families, and learning, is exempt from the 12.34 requirements of this subdivision. 12.35 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.102, 12.36 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 13.1 Subd. 3. [EXEMPTIONS.] A nonpublic school, person, or 13.2 other institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency, 13.3 recognized according to section 123.935, or recognized by the 13.4state board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 13.5 learning, is exempt from the requirements in subdivisions 1 and 13.6 2, except for the requirement in subdivision 1, clause (1). 13.7 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 13.8 120.1045, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 13.9 Subdivision 1. [BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.] (a) A school 13.10 hiring authority, as defined in subdivision 4, shall request a 13.11 criminal history background check from the superintendent of the 13.12 bureau of criminal apprehension on all individuals who are 13.13 offered employment in the school, as defined in subdivision 4. 13.14 In order to be eligible for employment, an individual who is 13.15 offered employment must provide an executed criminal history 13.16 consent form and a money order or check payable to either the 13.17 bureau of criminal apprehension or the school hiring authority, 13.18 at the election of the school hiring authority, in an amount 13.19 equal to the actual cost to the bureau of criminal apprehension 13.20 and the school district of conducting the criminal history 13.21 background check. A school hiring authority electing to receive 13.22 payment may, at its discretion, accept payment in the form of a 13.23 negotiable instrument other than a money order or check and 13.24 shall pay the superintendent of the bureau of criminal 13.25 apprehension directly to conduct the background check. The 13.26 superintendent of the bureau of criminal apprehension shall 13.27 conduct the background check by retrieving criminal history data 13.28 maintained in the criminal justice information system 13.29 computers. A school hiring authority, at its discretion, may 13.30 elect not to request a criminal history background check on an 13.31 individual who holds an initial entrance license issued by the 13.32 state board of teaching or thestate board of13.33educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning 13.34 within the 12 months preceding an offer of employment. 13.35 (b) A school hiring authority may use the results of a 13.36 criminal background check conducted at the request of another 14.1 school hiring authority if: 14.2 (1) the results of the criminal background check are on 14.3 file with the other school hiring authority or otherwise 14.4 accessible; 14.5 (2) the other school hiring authority conducted a criminal 14.6 background check within the previous 12 months; 14.7 (3) the individual who is the subject of the criminal 14.8 background check executes a written consent form giving a school 14.9 hiring authority access to the results of the check; and 14.10 (4) there is no reason to believe that the individual has 14.11 committed an act subsequent to the check that would disqualify 14.12 the individual for employment. 14.13 (c) A school hiring authority may, at its discretion, 14.14 request a criminal history background check from the 14.15 superintendent of the bureau of criminal apprehension on any 14.16 individual who seeks to enter a school or its grounds for the 14.17 purpose of serving as a school volunteer or working as an 14.18 independent contractor or student employee. In order for an 14.19 individual to enter a school or its grounds under this paragraph 14.20 when the school hiring authority elects to request a criminal 14.21 history background check on the individual, the individual first 14.22 must provide an executed criminal history consent form and a 14.23 money order, check, or other negotiable instrument payable to 14.24 the school district in an amount equal to the actual cost to the 14.25 bureau of criminal apprehension and the school district of 14.26 conducting the criminal history background check. 14.27 Notwithstanding section 299C.62, subdivision 1, the cost of the 14.28 criminal history background check under this paragraph is the 14.29 responsibility of the individual. 14.30 (d) For all nonstate residents who are offered employment 14.31 in a school, a school hiring authority shall request a criminal 14.32 history background check on such individuals from the 14.33 superintendent of the bureau of criminal apprehension and from 14.34 the government agency performing the same function in the 14.35 resident state or, if no government entity performs the same 14.36 function in the resident state, from the Federal Bureau of 15.1 Investigation. Such individuals must provide an executed 15.2 criminal history consent form and a money order, check, or other 15.3 negotiable instrument payable to the school hiring authority in 15.4 an amount equal to the actual cost to the government agencies 15.5 and the school district of conducting the criminal history 15.6 background check. Notwithstanding section 299C.62, subdivision 15.7 1, the cost of the criminal history background check under this 15.8 paragraph is the responsibility of the individual. 15.9 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.17, 15.10 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 15.11 Subd. 3. [RULES OF THESTATE BOARDCOMMISSIONER OF 15.12 CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND LEARNING.] (a) Thestate15.13boardcommissioner of children, families, and learning shall 15.14 promulgate rules relative to qualifications of essential 15.15 personnel, courses of study, methods of instruction, pupil 15.16 eligibility, size of classes, rooms, equipment, supervision, 15.17 parent consultation, and any other rulesitthe commissioner 15.18 deems necessary for instruction of children with a disability. 15.19 These rules shall provide standards and procedures appropriate 15.20 for the implementation of and within the limitations of 15.21 subdivisions 3a and 3b. These rules shall also provide 15.22 standards for the discipline, control, management and protection 15.23 of children with a disability. Thestate boardcommissioner 15.24 shall not adopt rules for pupils served in level 1, 2, or 3, as 15.25 defined in Minnesota Rules, part 3525.2340, establishing either 15.26 case loads or the maximum number of pupils that may be assigned 15.27 to special education teachers. Thestate boardcommissioner, in 15.28 consultation with the departments of health and human services, 15.29 shall adopt permanent rules for instruction and services for 15.30 children under age five and their families. These rules are 15.31 binding on state and local education, health, and human services 15.32 agencies. Thestate boardcommissioner shall adopt rules to 15.33 determine eligibility for special education services. The rules 15.34 shall include procedures and standards by which to grant 15.35 variances for experimental eligibility criteria. Thestate15.36boardcommissioner shall, according to section 14.05, 16.1 subdivision 4, notify a district applying for a variance from 16.2 the rules within 45 calendar days of receiving the request 16.3 whether the request for the variance has been granted or 16.4 denied. If a request is denied, theboardcommissioner shall 16.5 specify the program standards used to evaluate the request and 16.6 the reasons for denying the request. 16.7 (b) The state's regulatory scheme should support schools by 16.8 assuring that all state special education rules adopted by the 16.9state board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 16.10 learning result in one or more of the following outcomes: 16.11 (1) increased time available to teachers for educating 16.12 students through direct and indirect instruction; 16.13 (2) consistent and uniform access to effective education 16.14 programs for students with disabilities throughout the state; 16.15 (3) reduced inequalities, conflict, and court actions 16.16 related to the delivery of special education instruction and 16.17 services for students with disabilities; 16.18 (4) clear expectations for service providers and for 16.19 students with disabilities; 16.20 (5) increased accountability for all individuals and 16.21 agencies that provide instruction and other services to students 16.22 with disabilities; 16.23 (6) greater focus for the state and local resources 16.24 dedicated to educating students with disabilities; and 16.25 (7) clearer standards for evaluating the effectiveness of 16.26 education and support services for students with disabilities. 16.27 Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.17, 16.28 subdivision 3b, is amended to read: 16.29 Subd. 3b. [PROCEDURES FOR DECISIONS.] Every district shall 16.30 utilize at least the following procedures for decisions 16.31 involving identification, assessment, and educational placement 16.32 of children with a disability: 16.33 (a) Parents and guardians shall receive prior written 16.34 notice of: 16.35 (1) any proposed formal educational assessment or proposed 16.36 denial of a formal educational assessment of their child; 17.1 (2) a proposed placement of their child in, transfer from 17.2 or to, or denial of placement in a special education program; or 17.3 (3) the proposed provision, addition, denial or removal of 17.4 special education services for their child; 17.5 (b) The district shall not proceed with the initial formal 17.6 assessment of a child, the initial placement of a child in a 17.7 special education program, or the initial provision of special 17.8 education services for a child without the prior written consent 17.9 of the child's parent or guardian. The refusal of a parent or 17.10 guardian to consent may be overridden by the decision in a 17.11 hearing held pursuant to clause (e) at the district's 17.12 initiative; 17.13 (c) Parents and guardians shall have an opportunity to meet 17.14 with appropriate district staff in at least one conciliation 17.15 conference, mediation, or other method of alternative dispute 17.16 resolution that the parties agree to, if they object to any 17.17 proposal of which they are notified pursuant to clause (a). The 17.18 conciliation process or other form of alternative dispute 17.19 resolution shall not be used to deny or delay a parent or 17.20 guardian's right to a due process hearing. If the parent or 17.21 guardian refuses efforts by the district to conciliate the 17.22 dispute with the school district, the requirement of an 17.23 opportunity for conciliation or other alternative dispute 17.24 resolution shall be deemed to be satisfied. Notwithstanding 17.25 other law, in any proceeding following a conciliation 17.26 conference, the school district must not offer a conciliation 17.27 conference memorandum into evidence, except for any portions 17.28 that describe the district's final proposed offer of service. 17.29 Otherwise, with respect to forms of dispute resolution, 17.30 mediation, or conciliation, Minnesota Rule of Evidence 408 17.31 applies. The department of children, families, and learning may 17.32 reimburse the districts or directly pay the costs of lay 17.33 advocates, not to exceed $150 per dispute, used in conjunction 17.34 with alternative dispute resolution. 17.35 (d) The commissioner shall establish a mediation process to 17.36 assist parents, school districts, or other parties to resolve 18.1 disputes arising out of the identification, assessment, or 18.2 educational placement of children with a disability. The 18.3 mediation process must be offered as an informal alternative to 18.4 the due process hearing provided under clause (e), but must not 18.5 be used to deny or postpone the opportunity of a parent or 18.6 guardian to obtain a due process hearing. 18.7 (e) Parents, guardians, and the district shall have an 18.8 opportunity to obtain an impartial due process hearing initiated 18.9 and conducted by and in the school district responsible for 18.10 assuring that an appropriate program is provided in accordance 18.11 with stateboardrules, if the parent or guardian continues to 18.12 object to: 18.13 (1) a proposed formal educational assessment or proposed 18.14 denial of a formal educational assessment of their child; 18.15 (2) the proposed placement of their child in, or transfer 18.16 of their child to a special education program; 18.17 (3) the proposed denial of placement of their child in a 18.18 special education program or the transfer of their child from a 18.19 special education program; 18.20 (4) the proposed provision or addition of special education 18.21 services for their child; or 18.22 (5) the proposed denial or removal of special education 18.23 services for their child. 18.24 Within five business days after the request for a hearing, 18.25 or as directed by the hearing officer, the objecting party shall 18.26 provide the other party with a brief written statement of 18.27 particulars of the objection, the reasons for the objection, and 18.28 the specific remedies sought. The other party shall provide the 18.29 objecting party with a written response to the statement of 18.30 objections within five business days of receipt of the statement. 18.31 The hearing shall take place before an impartial hearing 18.32 officer mutually agreed to by the school board and the parent or 18.33 guardian. Within four business days of the receipt of the 18.34 request for the hearing, if the parties have not agreed on the 18.35 hearing officer, the school board shall request the commissioner 18.36 to appoint a hearing officer. The school board shall include 19.1 with the request the name of the person requesting the hearing, 19.2 the name of the student, the attorneys involved, if any, and the 19.3 date the hearing request was received. The hearing officer 19.4 shall not be a school board member or employee of the school 19.5 district where the child resides or of the child's school 19.6 district of residence, an employee of any other public agency 19.7 involved in the education or care of the child, or any person 19.8 with a personal or professional interest which would conflict 19.9 with the person's objectivity at the hearing. A person who 19.10 otherwise qualifies as a hearing officer is not an employee of 19.11 the district solely because the person is paid by the district 19.12 to serve as a hearing officer. If the hearing officer requests 19.13 an independent educational assessment of a child, the cost of 19.14 the assessment shall be at district expense. The proceedings 19.15 shall be recorded and preserved, at the expense of the school 19.16 district, pending ultimate disposition of the action. 19.17 (f) The decision of the hearing officer pursuant to clause 19.18 (e) shall be rendered not more than 45 calendar days from the 19.19 date of the receipt of the request for the hearing, except that 19.20 hearing officers are encouraged to accelerate the timeline to 30 19.21 days for children birth through two whose needs change rapidly 19.22 and require quick resolution of complaints. A hearing officer 19.23 may not grant specific extensions of time beyond the 45-day 19.24 period unless requested by either party for good cause shown on 19.25 the record. The decision of the hearing officer shall be 19.26 binding on all parties unless appealed to the commissioner by 19.27 the parent; guardian; school board of the district where the 19.28 child resides pursuant to clause (g); and also in the case of 19.29 children birth through two, by the county board. 19.30 The local decision shall: 19.31 (1) be in writing; 19.32 (2) state the controlling facts upon which the decision is 19.33 made in sufficient detail to apprise the parties and the hearing 19.34 review officer of the basis and reason for the decision; and 19.35 (3) be based on the standards set forth in subdivision 3a 19.36 and the rules of thestate boardcommissioner of children, 20.1 families, and learning. 20.2 (g) Any local decision issued pursuant to clauses (e) and 20.3 (f) may be appealed to the commissioner within 30 calendar days 20.4 of receipt of that written decision, by the parent, guardian, or 20.5 the school board of the district responsible for assuring that 20.6 an appropriate program is provided in accordance with state 20.7boardrules. The appealing party shall note the specific parts 20.8 of the hearing decision being appealed. 20.9 If the decision is appealed, a written transcript of the 20.10 hearing shall be made by the school district and provided by the 20.11 district to the parties involved and the hearing review officer 20.12 within five calendar days of the filing of the appeal. The 20.13 hearing review officer shall conduct an appellate review and 20.14 issue a final independent decision based on an impartial review 20.15 of the local decision and the entire record within 30 calendar 20.16 days after the filing of the appeal. However, the hearing 20.17 review officer shall seek additional evidence if necessary and 20.18 may afford the parties an opportunity for written or oral 20.19 argument; provided any hearing held to seek additional evidence 20.20 shall be an impartial due process hearing but shall be deemed 20.21 not to be a contested case hearing for purposes of chapter 14. 20.22 The hearing review officer may grant specific extensions of time 20.23 beyond the 30-day period at the request of any party for good 20.24 cause shown on the record. 20.25 The final decision shall: 20.26 (1) be in writing; 20.27 (2) include findings and conclusions; and 20.28 (3) be based upon the standards set forth in subdivision 3a 20.29 and in the rules of thestate boardcommissioner of children, 20.30 families, and learning. 20.31 (h) The decision of the hearing review officer shall be 20.32 final unless appealed by the parent or guardian or school board 20.33 to the Minnesota court of appeals or federal district court as 20.34 provided by federal law. State judicial review shall be in 20.35 accordance with chapter 14. 20.36 (i) The commissioner of children, families, and learning 21.1 shall select an individual who has the qualifications enumerated 21.2 in this paragraph to serve as the hearing review officer: 21.3 (1) the individual must be knowledgeable and impartial; 21.4 (2) the individual must not have a personal interest in or 21.5 specific involvement with the student who is a party to the 21.6 hearing; 21.7 (3) the individual must not have been employed as an 21.8 administrator by the district that is a party to the hearing; 21.9 (4) the individual must not have been involved in the 21.10 selection of the administrators of the district that is a party 21.11 to the hearing; 21.12 (5) the individual must not have a personal, economic, or 21.13 professional interest in the outcome of the hearing other than 21.14 the proper administration of the federal and state laws, rules, 21.15 and policies; 21.16 (6) the individual must not have substantial involvement in 21.17 the development of a state or local policy or procedures that 21.18 are challenged in the appeal; 21.19 (7) the individual is not a current employee or board 21.20 member of a Minnesota public school district, education 21.21 district, intermediate unit or regional education agency, the 21.22 department of children, families, and learning, the state board21.23of education; and 21.24 (8) the individual is not a current employee or board 21.25 member of a disability advocacy organization or group. 21.26 (j) In all appeals, the parent or guardian of the pupil 21.27 with a disability or the district that is a party to the hearing 21.28 may challenge the impartiality or competence of the proposed 21.29 hearing review officer by applying to the hearing review officer. 21.30 (k) Pending the completion of proceedings pursuant to this 21.31 subdivision, unless the district and the parent or guardian of 21.32 the child agree otherwise, the child shall remain in the child's 21.33 current educational placement and shall not be denied initial 21.34 admission to school. 21.35 (l) The child's school district of residence, a resident 21.36 district, and providing district shall receive notice of and may 22.1 be a party to any hearings or appeals under this subdivision. 22.2 (m) A school district is not liable for harmless technical 22.3 violations of this subdivision or rules implementing this 22.4 subdivision if the school district can demonstrate on a 22.5 case-by-case basis that the violations did not harm the 22.6 student's educational progress or the parent or guardian's right 22.7 to notice, participation, or due process. 22.8 (n) Within ten calendar days after appointment, the hearing 22.9 officer shall schedule and hold a prehearing conference. At 22.10 that conference, or later, the hearing officer may take any 22.11 appropriate action that a court might take under Rule 16 of 22.12 Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure including, but not limited 22.13 to, scheduling, jurisdiction, and listing witnesses including 22.14 expert witnesses. 22.15 (o) A hearing officer or hearing review officer appointed 22.16 under this subdivision shall be deemed to be an employee of the 22.17 state under section 3.732 for the purposes of section 3.736 only. 22.18 (p) In order to be eligible for selection, hearing officers 22.19 and hearing review officers shall participate in training and 22.20 follow procedures as designated by the commissioner. 22.21 (q) The hearing officer may admit all evidence which 22.22 possesses probative value, including hearsay, if it is the type 22.23 of evidence on which reasonable, prudent persons are accustomed 22.24 to rely in the conduct of their serious affairs. The hearing 22.25 officer shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized 22.26 by law. Evidence which is incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, 22.27 or unduly repetitious shall be excluded. 22.28 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.17, 22.29 subdivision 7a, is amended to read: 22.30 Subd. 7a. [ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL FOR THE DISABLED.] 22.31 Responsibility for special instruction and services for a 22.32 visually disabled or hearing impaired child attending the 22.33 Minnesota state academy for the deaf or the Minnesota state 22.34 academy for the blind shall be determined in the following 22.35 manner: 22.36 (a) The legal residence of the child shall be the school 23.1 district in which the child's parent or guardian resides. 23.2 (b) When it is determined pursuant to section 128A.05, 23.3 subdivision 1 or 2, that the child is entitled to attend either 23.4 school, thestateboard of the Faribault academies shall provide 23.5 the appropriate educational program for the child. Thestate23.6 board of the Faribault academies shall make a tuition charge to 23.7 the child's district of residence for the cost of providing the 23.8 program. The amount of tuition charged shall not exceed the 23.9 basic revenue of the district for that child, for the amount of 23.10 time the child is in the program. For purposes of this 23.11 subdivision, "basic revenue" has the meaning given it in section 23.12 124A.22, subdivision 2. The district of the child's residence 23.13 shall pay the tuition and may claim general education aid for 23.14 the child. Tuition received by thestateboard of the Faribault 23.15 academies, except for tuition received under clause (c), shall 23.16 be deposited in the state treasury as provided in clause (g). 23.17 (c) In addition to the tuition charge allowed in clause 23.18 (b), the academies may charge the child's district of residence 23.19 for the academy's unreimbursed cost of providing an 23.20 instructional aide assigned to that child, if that aide is 23.21 required by the child's individual education plan. Tuition 23.22 received under this clause must be used by the academies to 23.23 provide the required service. 23.24 (d) When it is determined that the child can benefit from 23.25 public school enrollment but that the child should also remain 23.26 in attendance at the applicable school, the school district 23.27 where the institution is located shall provide an appropriate 23.28 educational program for the child and shall make a tuition 23.29 charge to thestateboard of the Faribault academies for the 23.30 actual cost of providing the program, less any amount of aid 23.31 received pursuant to section 124.32. Thestateboard of the 23.32 Faribault academies shall pay the tuition and other program 23.33 costs including the unreimbursed transportation costs. Aids for 23.34 children with a disability shall be paid to the district 23.35 providing the special instruction and services. Special 23.36 transportation shall be provided by the district providing the 24.1 educational program and the state shall reimburse such district 24.2 within the limits provided by law. 24.3 (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (b) and (d), 24.4 thestateboard of the Faribault academies may agree to make a 24.5 tuition charge for less than the amount specified in clause (b) 24.6 for pupils attending the applicable school who are residents of 24.7 the district where the institution is located and who do not 24.8 board at the institution, if that district agrees to make a 24.9 tuition charge to thestateboard of the Faribault academies for 24.10 less than the amount specified in clause (d) for providing 24.11 appropriate educational programs to pupils attending the 24.12 applicable school. 24.13 (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (b) and (d), 24.14 thestateboard of the Faribault academies may agree to supply 24.15 staff from the Minnesota state academy for the deaf and the 24.16 Minnesota state academy for the blind to participate in the 24.17 programs provided by the district where the institutions are 24.18 located when the programs are provided to students in attendance 24.19 at the state schools. 24.20 (g) On May 1 of each year, thestateboard of the Faribault 24.21 academies shall count the actual number of Minnesota resident 24.22 kindergarten and elementary students and the actual number of 24.23 Minnesota resident secondary students enrolled and receiving 24.24 education services at the Minnesota state academy for the deaf 24.25 and the Minnesota state academy for the blind. Thestateboard 24.26 of the Faribault academies shall deposit in the state treasury 24.27 an amount equal to all tuition received less: 24.28 (1) the total number of students on May 1 less 175, times 24.29 the ratio of the number of kindergarten and elementary students 24.30 to the total number of students on May 1, times the general 24.31 education formula allowance; plus 24.32 (2) the total number of students on May 1 less 175, times 24.33 the ratio of the number of secondary students on May 1 to the 24.34 total number of students on May 1, times 1.3, times the general 24.35 education formula allowance. 24.36 (h) The sum provided by the calculation in clause (g), 25.1 subclauses (1) and (2), must be deposited in the state treasury 25.2 and credited to the general operation account of the academy for 25.3 the deaf and the academy for the blind. 25.4 (i) There is annually appropriated to the department of 25.5 children, families, and learning for the Faribault academies the 25.6 tuition amounts received and credited to the general operation 25.7 account of the academies under this section. A balance in an 25.8 appropriation under this paragraph does not cancel but is 25.9 available in successive fiscal years. 25.10 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.66, 25.11 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 25.12 Subdivision 1. Thestate board of educationcommissioner 25.13 of children, families, and learning shall: 25.14 (1) Promulgate rules necessary to the operation of sections 25.15 120.59 to 120.67; 25.16 (2) Cooperate with and provide supervision of flexible 25.17 learning year programs to determine compliance with the 25.18 provisions of sections 120.59 to 120.67, thestate board25.19 department standards and qualifications, and the proposed 25.20 program as submitted and approved; 25.21 (3) Provide any necessary adjustments of (a) attendance and 25.22 membership computations and (b) the dates and percentages of 25.23 apportionment of state aids; 25.24 (4) Consistent with the definition of "average daily 25.25 membership" in section 124.17, subdivision 2, furnish the board 25.26 of a district implementing a flexible learning year program with 25.27 a formula for computing average daily membership. This formula 25.28 shall be computed so that tax levies to be made by the district, 25.29 state aids to be received by the district, and any and all other 25.30 formulas based upon average daily membership are not affected 25.31 solely as a result of adopting this plan of instruction. 25.32 Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 120.66, 25.33 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 25.34 Subd. 2. Sections 120.59 to 120.67 shall not be construed 25.35 to authorize thestate boardcommissioner to require the 25.36 establishment of a flexible learning year program in any 26.1 district in which the board has not voted to establish, 26.2 maintain, and operate such a program. 26.3 Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.02, 26.4 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 26.5 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT.] A state department of 26.6 children, families, and learning is hereby created which shall 26.7 be maintained under the direction ofa state board of education26.8composed of nine representative citizens of the state, at least26.9one of whom shall reside in each congressional district in the26.10state.26.11Of the nine representative citizens of the state who are26.12appointed to the state board of education not less than three26.13members thereof shall previously thereto have served as an26.14elected member of a board of education of a school district26.15however organized.26.16The members of the state board shall be appointed by the26.17governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. One member26.18shall be chosen annually as president, but no member shall serve26.19as president more than three consecutive years. The state board26.20shall hold its annual meeting in August. It shall hold meetings26.21on dates and at places as it designates. No member shall hold26.22any public office, or represent or be employed by any board of26.23education or school district, public or private, and shall not26.24voluntarily have any personal financial interest in any contract26.25with a board of education or school district, or be engaged in26.26any capacity where a conflict of interest may arisethe 26.27 commissioner of children, families, and learning. 26.28 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.1115, 26.29 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 26.30 Subdivision 1. [EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC 26.31 REPORTING.]Consistent with the state board of education process26.32to adopt a results-oriented graduation rule under section26.33121.11, subdivision 7c, the state board of education andThe 26.34 department of children, families, and learning, in consultation 26.35 with education and other system stakeholders, shall establish a 26.36 coordinated and comprehensive system of educational 27.1 accountability and public reporting that promotes higher 27.2 academic achievement. 27.3 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.14, is 27.4 amended to read: 27.5 121.14 [RECOMMENDATIONS; BUDGET.] 27.6 Thestate board and thecommissioner of children, families, 27.7 and learning shall recommend to the governor and legislature 27.8 such modification and unification of laws relating to the state 27.9 system of education as shall make those laws more readily 27.10 understood and more effective in execution. The commissioner of 27.11 children, families, and learning shall prepare a biennial 27.12 education budget which shall be submitted to the governor and 27.13 legislature, such budget to contain a complete statement of 27.14 finances pertaining to the maintenance of the state department 27.15 and to the distribution of state aid. 27.16 Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.148, 27.17 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 27.18 Subd. 3. [NEGATIVE REVIEW AND COMMENT.] (a) If the 27.19 commissioner submits a negative review and comment for a 27.20 proposal according to section 121.15, the following steps must 27.21 be taken: 27.22 (1) the commissioner must notify the school board of the 27.23 proposed negative review and comment and schedule a public 27.24 meeting within 60 days of the notification within that school 27.25 district to discuss the proposed negative review and comment on 27.26 the school facility; and 27.27 (2) the school board shall appoint an advisory task force 27.28 of up to five members to advise the school board and the 27.29 commissioner on the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives 27.30 to the proposed facility at the public meeting. One member of 27.31 the advisory task force must also be a member of the county 27.32 facilities group. 27.33 (b) After attending the public meeting, the commissioner 27.34 shall reconsider the proposal. If the commissioner submits a 27.35 negative review and comment, the school board may appeal that 27.36 decisionto the state board of educationunder chapter 14.The28.1state board of education may either uphold the commissioner's28.2negative review and comment or instruct the commissioner to28.3submit a positive or unfavorable review and comment on the28.4proposed facility.28.5 (c) A school board may not proceed with construction ifthe28.6state board of education upholdsthe commissioner's negative 28.7 review and comment is upheld or if the commissioner's negative 28.8 review and comment is not appealed. 28.9 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 28.10 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 28.11 Subd. 4. [UNIFORM SYSTEM OF RECORDS AND ACCOUNTING.] The 28.12 commissioner of children, families, and learning shall prepare a 28.13 uniform system of records for public school and require reports 28.14 from superintendents and principals of schools, teachers, school 28.15 officers, and the chief officers of public and other educational 28.16 institutions to give such facts as it may deem of public value. 28.17 All reports required of school districts by the commissioner 28.18 shall be in conformance with the uniform financial accounting 28.19 and reporting system. With the cooperation of the state 28.20 auditor, the commissioner shall establish and carry into effect 28.21 a uniform system of accounting by public school officers and 28.22 shall have authority to supervise and examine the accounts and 28.23 other records of all public schools. 28.24 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 28.25 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 28.26 Subd. 5. [GENERAL SUPERVISION OVER EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.] 28.27 The commissioner of children, families, and learning shall adopt 28.28 goals for and exercise general supervision over public schools 28.29 and public educational agencies in the state, classify and 28.30 standardize public elementary and secondary schools, and prepare 28.31 for them outlines and suggested courses of study. The 28.32 commissioner shall develop a plan to attain the adopted goals. 28.33 The commissioner may recognize educational accrediting agencies 28.34 for the sole purposes of sections 120.101, 120.102, and 120.103. 28.35 Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 28.36 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 29.1 Subd. 6. [ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.] The commissioner may 29.2 adopt new rules and amend them or amend any existing rules only 29.3 under specific authority. The commissioner may repeal any 29.4 existing rules. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 29.5 14.05, subdivision 4, the commissioner may grant a variance to 29.6 rules adopted by the commissioner upon application by a school 29.7 district for purposes of implementing experimental programs in 29.8 learning or school management. This subdivision shall not 29.9 prohibit the commissioner from making technical changes or 29.10 corrections to adopted rules. 29.11 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 29.12 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 29.13 Subd. 7. [RESULTS-ORIENTED GRADUATION RULE.] (a) The 29.14 commissioner shall set in rule high academic standards for all 29.15 students. The standards must contain the foundational skills in 29.16 the three core curricular areas of reading, writing, and 29.17 mathematics and establish requirements for high school 29.18 graduation. All actions taken by the commissioner regarding the 29.19 rule must be premised on the following: 29.20 (1) the rule is intended to raise academic expectations for 29.21 students, teachers, and schools; 29.22 (2) any state action regarding the rule must evidence 29.23 consideration of school district autonomy; and 29.24 (3) the department of children, families, and learning, 29.25 with the assistance of school districts, must make available 29.26 information about all state initiatives related to the rule to 29.27 students and parents, teachers, and the general public in a 29.28 timely format that is appropriate, comprehensive, and readily 29.29 understandable. 29.30 (b) For purposes of adopting the rule, the commissioner, in 29.31 consultation with recognized psychometric experts in assessment 29.32 and other interested and knowledgeable educators, using the most 29.33 current version of professional standards for educational 29.34 testing, shall evaluate the alternative approaches to assessment. 29.35 (c) The commissioner shall periodically review and report 29.36 on the assessment process and student achievement with the 30.1 expectation of raising the standards and expanding high school 30.2 graduation requirements. 30.3 (d) The commissioner shall report in writing to the 30.4 legislature annually by January 15 on its progress in developing 30.5 and implementing the graduation requirements according to the 30.6 requirements of this subdivision and section 123.97 until such 30.7 time as all the graduation requirements are implemented. 30.8 Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 30.9 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.10 Subd. 8. [LICENSURE RULES.] The commissioner may make 30.11 rules relating to licensure of school personnel not licensed by 30.12 the board of teaching. 30.13 Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 30.14 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.15 Subd. 9. [GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT TESTS RULES.] The 30.16 commissioner may amend rules to reflect changes in the national 30.17 minimum standard score for passing the general education 30.18 development (GED) tests. 30.19 Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 30.20 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.21 Subd. 10. [UNIFORM FORMS FOR STATE EXAMINATIONS.] Upon the 30.22 request of any superintendent of any public or private school 30.23 teaching high school courses in the state, the commissioner 30.24 shall designate or prepare uniform forms for state examinations 30.25 in each high school subject during the month of May of each 30.26 year; the request shall be in writing and delivered to the 30.27 commissioner before January 1 of that year. 30.28 Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 30.29 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.30 Subd. 11. [EVENING SCHOOLS.] The commissioner shall 30.31 exercise general supervision over the public evening schools, 30.32 adult education programs, and summer programs. 30.33 Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 30.34 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 30.35 Subd. 12. [TEACHER RULE VARIANCES.] Notwithstanding any 30.36 law to the contrary, and only upon receiving the agreement of 31.1 the state board of teaching, the commissioner of children, 31.2 families, and learning may grant a variance to rules governing 31.3 licensure of teachers for those teachers licensed by the board 31.4 of teaching. The commissioner may grant a variance, without the 31.5 agreement of the board of teaching, to rules adopted by the 31.6 commissioner governing licensure of teachers for those teachers 31.7 the commissioner licenses. 31.8 Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.16, is 31.9 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 31.10 Subd. 13. [SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM; REVOLVING FUND.] The 31.11 commissioner of finance shall establish for the commissioner of 31.12 children, families, and learning a revolving fund for deposit of 31.13 storage and handling charges paid by recipients of donated foods 31.14 shipped by the school lunch section of the department of 31.15 children, families, and learning. These funds are to be used 31.16 only to pay storage and related charges as they are incurred for 31.17 United States Department of Agriculture foods. 31.18 The commissioner of finance shall also establish a 31.19 revolving fund for the department of children, families, and 31.20 learning to deposit charges paid by recipients of processed 31.21 commodities and for any authorized appropriation transfers for 31.22 the purpose of this subdivision. These funds are to be used 31.23 only to pay for commodity processing and related charges as they 31.24 are incurred using United States Department of Agriculture 31.25 donated commodities. 31.26 Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.1601, 31.27 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 31.28 Subd. 2. [COORDINATION.]The commissioner shall coordinate31.29the office activities under subdivision 1 with new or existing31.30department and state board of education efforts to accomplish31.31school desegregation/integration.The commissioner may request 31.32 information or assistance from, or contract with, any state or 31.33 local agency or officer, local unit of government, or recognized 31.34 expert to assist the commissioner in performing the activities 31.35 described in subdivision 1. 31.36 Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.612, 32.1 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 32.2 Subd. 2. [CREATION OF FOUNDATION.] There is created the 32.3 Minnesota academic excellence foundation. The purpose of the 32.4 foundation shall be to promote academic excellence in Minnesota 32.5 public and nonpublic schools and communities through 32.6 public-private partnerships. The foundation shall be a 32.7 nonprofit organization. The board of directors of the 32.8 foundation and foundation activities are under the direction of 32.9 thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, families, 32.10 and learning. 32.11 Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.612, 32.12 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 32.13 Subd. 3. [BOARD OF DIRECTORS.] The board of directors of 32.14 the foundation shall consist of the commissioner of children, 32.15 families, and learning,a member of the state board of education32.16selected by the state boardwho shall serve as chair and 20 32.17 members to be appointed by the governor. Of the 20 members 32.18 appointed by the governor, eight shall represent a variety of 32.19 education groups and 12 shall represent a variety of business 32.20 groups. The commissioner of children, families, and learning 32.21 shall serve as secretary for the board of directors and provide 32.22 administrative support to the foundation. An executive 32.23 committee of the foundation board composed of the board officers 32.24 and chairs of board committees, may only advise and make 32.25 recommendations to the foundation board. 32.26 Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.612, 32.27 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 32.28 Subd. 6. [CONTRACTS.] The foundation board shall review 32.29 and approve each contract of the board. Each contract of the 32.30 foundation board shall be subject to the same review and 32.31 approval procedures as a contract of thestate board of32.32educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 32.33 Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.612, 32.34 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 32.35 Subd. 7. [FOUNDATION STAFF.] (a) Thestate board32.36 commissioner shall appoint the executive director and other 33.1 staff who shall perform duties and have responsibilities solely 33.2 related to the foundation. 33.3 (b) As part of the annual plan of work, the foundation, 33.4 under the direction of thestate boardcommissioner, may appoint 33.5 up to three employees. The employees appointed under this 33.6 paragraph are not state employees under chapter 43A, but are 33.7 covered under section 3.736. At the foundation board's 33.8 discretion, the employees may participate in the state health 33.9 and state insurance plans for employees in unclassified 33.10 service. The employees shall be supervised by the executive 33.11 director. 33.12 Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 121.612, 33.13 subdivision 9, is amended to read: 33.14 Subd. 9. [REPORT.] The board of directors of the 33.15 foundation shall submit an annual report to thestate board of33.16educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning on 33.17 the progress of its activities. The annual report shall contain 33.18 a financial report for the preceding year, including all 33.19 receipts and expenditures of the foundation. 33.20 Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 33.21 121.615, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 33.22 Subd. 2. [CREATION OF FOUNDATION.] There is created the 33.23 Minnesota school-to-work student organization foundation. The 33.24 purpose of the foundation shall be to promote vocational student 33.25 organizations and applied leadership opportunities in Minnesota 33.26 public and nonpublic schools through public-private 33.27 partnerships. The foundation shall be a nonprofit 33.28 organization. The board of directors of the foundation and 33.29 activities of the foundation are under the direction of the 33.30state board of educationcommissioner of children, families, and 33.31 learning. 33.32 Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 33.33 121.615, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 33.34 Subd. 6. [CONTRACTS.] The foundation board shall review 33.35 and approve each contract of the board. Each contract of the 33.36 foundation board shall be subject to the same review and 34.1 approval procedures as a contract of thestate board of34.2educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning. 34.3 Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 34.4 121.615, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 34.5 Subd. 7. [FOUNDATION STAFF.] Thestate board of34.6educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning shall 34.7 appoint the executive director of the foundation from three 34.8 candidates nominated and submitted by the foundation board of 34.9 directors and, as necessary, other staff who shall perform 34.10 duties and have responsibilities solely related to the 34.11 foundation. The employees appointed are not state employees 34.12 under chapter 43A, but are covered under section 3.736. The 34.13 employees may participate in the state health and state 34.14 insurance plans for employees in unclassified service. The 34.15 employees shall be supervised by the executive director. 34.16 The commissioner shall appoint from the office of lifework 34.17 development a liaison to the foundation board. 34.18 Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 34.19 121.615, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 34.20 Subd. 10. [REPORT.] The board of directors of the 34.21 foundation shall submit an annual report on the progress of its 34.22 activities to thestate board of educationcommissioner of 34.23 children, families, and learning and to the board of trustees of 34.24 the Minnesota state colleges and universities. The annual 34.25 report shall contain a financial report for the preceding year. 34.26 The foundation shall submit a biennium report to the legislature 34.27 before February 15, in the odd-numbered year. 34.28 Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.05, 34.29 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 34.30 Subdivision 1. [AUTHORITY TO LICENSE.] (a) The board of 34.31 teaching shall license teachers, as defined in section 125.03, 34.32 subdivision 1, except for supervisory personnel, as defined in 34.33 section 125.03, subdivision 4. 34.34 (b) Thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 34.35 families, and learning shall license supervisory personnel as 34.36 defined in section 125.03, subdivision 4. 35.1 (c) Licenses under the jurisdiction of the board of 35.2 teaching and thestate board of educationcommissioner of 35.3 children, families, and learning must be issued through the 35.4 licensing section of the department of children, families, and 35.5 learning. 35.6 Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 35.7 125.05, subdivision 1c, is amended to read: 35.8 Subd. 1c. [SUPERVISORY AND COACH QUALIFICATIONS; CODE OF 35.9 ETHICS.] Thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 35.10 families, and learning shall issue licenses under its 35.11 jurisdiction to persons thestate boardcommissioner finds to be 35.12 qualified and competent for their respective positions under the 35.13 adopted rulesit adopts. Thestate board of education35.14 commissioner may develop, by rule, a code of ethics for 35.15 supervisory personnel covering standards of professional 35.16 practices, including areas of ethical conduct and professional 35.17 performance and methods of enforcement. 35.18 Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 35.19 125.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 35.20 Subd. 2. [EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL.] (a) Each license the 35.21 department of children, families, and learning issues through 35.22 its licensing section must bear the date of issue. Licenses 35.23 must expire and be renewed according to the respective rules the 35.24 board of teaching or thestate board of educationcommissioner 35.25 of children, families, and learning adopts. Requirements for 35.26 renewing a license must include showing satisfactory evidence of 35.27 successful teaching experience for at least one school year 35.28 during the period covered by the license in grades or subjects 35.29 for which the license is valid or completing such additional 35.30 preparation as the board of teaching prescribes. Thestate35.31board of educationcommissioner shall establish requirements for 35.32 renewing the licenses of supervisory personnel. 35.33 (b) The board of teaching shall offer alternative 35.34 continuing relicensure options for teachers who are accepted 35.35 into and complete the national board for professional teaching 35.36 standards certification process, and offer additional continuing 36.1 relicensure options for teachers who earn national board for 36.2 professional teaching standards certification. Continuing 36.3 relicensure requirements for teachers who do not maintain 36.4 national board for professional teaching standards certification 36.5 are those the board prescribes. 36.6 Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.05, 36.7 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 36.8 Subd. 4. [HUMAN RELATIONS.] The board of teaching and 36.9 thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, families, 36.10 and learning shall accept training programs completed through 36.11 Peace Corps, VISTA, or Teacher Corps in lieu of completion of 36.12 the human relations component of the training program for 36.13 purposes of issuing or renewing a license in education. 36.14 Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.05, 36.15 subdivision 8, is amended to read: 36.16 Subd. 8. [BACKGROUND CHECKS.] (a) The board of teaching 36.17 and thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, 36.18 families, and learning shall request a criminal history 36.19 background check from the superintendent of the bureau of 36.20 criminal apprehension on all applicants for initial licenses 36.21 under their jurisdiction. An application for a license under 36.22 this section must be accompanied by: 36.23 (1) an executed criminal history consent form, including 36.24 fingerprints; and 36.25 (2) a money order or cashier's check payable to the bureau 36.26 of criminal apprehension for the fee for conducting the criminal 36.27 history background check. 36.28 (b) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal 36.29 apprehension shall perform the background check required under 36.30 paragraph (a) by retrieving criminal history data maintained in 36.31 the criminal justice information system computers and shall also 36.32 conduct a search of the national criminal records repository, 36.33 including the criminal justice data communications network. The 36.34 superintendent is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the 36.35 Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the criminal 36.36 history check. The superintendent shall recover the cost to the 37.1 bureau of a background check through the fee charged to the 37.2 applicant under paragraph (a). 37.3 (c) The board of teaching or thestate board of education37.4 commissioner of children, families, and learning may issue a 37.5 license pending completion of a background check under this 37.6 subdivision, but shall notify the individual that the 37.7 individual's license may be revoked based on the result of the 37.8 background check. 37.9 Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.1885, 37.10 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 37.11 Subdivision 1. [REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A preparation program 37.12 that is an alternative to a graduate program in education 37.13 administration for public school administrators to acquire an 37.14 entrance license is established. The program may be offered in 37.15 any administrative field. 37.16 (b) To participate in the alternative preparation program, 37.17 the candidate must: 37.18 (1) have a master's degree in an administrative area; 37.19 (2) have been offered an administrative position in a 37.20 school district, group of districts, or an education district 37.21 approved by thestate board of educationcommissioner of 37.22 children, families, and learning to offer an alternative 37.23 preparation licensure program; 37.24 (3) have five years of experience in a field related to 37.25 administration; and 37.26 (4) document successful experiences working with children 37.27 and adults. 37.28 (c) An alternative preparation license is of one year 37.29 duration and is issued by thestate board of education37.30 commissioner of children, families, and learning to participants 37.31 on admission to the alternative preparation program. 37.32 Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.1885, 37.33 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 37.34 Subd. 4. [APPROVAL FOR STANDARD ENTRANCE LICENSE.] The 37.35 resident mentorship team must prepare for thestate board of37.36educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning an 38.1 evaluation report on the performance of the alternative 38.2 preparation licensee during the school year and a positive or 38.3 negative recommendation on whether the alternative preparation 38.4 licensee shall receive a standard entrance license. 38.5 Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 125.1885, 38.6 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 38.7 Subd. 5. [STANDARD ENTRANCE LICENSE.] Thestate board of38.8educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning shall 38.9 issue a standard entrance license to an alternative preparation 38.10 licensee who has successfully completed the school year in the 38.11 alternative preparation program and who has received a positive 38.12 recommendation from the licensee's mentorship team. 38.13 Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, 38.14 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 38.15 Subdivision 1. [TO GOVERNGOVERNANCE.] Thestateboard of 38.16educationthe Faribault academy shall govern the state academy 38.17 for the deaf and the state academy for the blind. The board of 38.18 the Faribault academies shall consist of nine persons. The 38.19 members of the board shall be appointed by the governor with the 38.20 advice and consent of the senate. At least one member must be 38.21 appointed from each congressional district. 38.22 Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, is 38.23 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 38.24 Subd. 1b. [TERMS; COMPENSATION; AND OTHER.] The membership 38.25 terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of 38.26 vacancies shall be as provided for in section 15.0575. A member 38.27 may serve not more than two consecutive terms. 38.28 Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, 38.29 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 38.30 Subd. 3. [MOST BENEFICIAL, LEAST RESTRICTIVE.] Thestate38.31 board must do what is necessary to provide the most beneficial 38.32 and least restrictive program of education for each pupil at the 38.33 academies who is handicapped by visual disability or deafness. 38.34 Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, 38.35 subdivision 3b, is amended to read: 38.36 Subd. 3b. [PLANNING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING.] To the 39.1 extent required in school districts, thestateboard must 39.2 establish a process for the academies to include parent and 39.3 community input in the planning, evaluation, and reporting of 39.4 curriculum and pupil achievement. 39.5 Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, 39.6 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 39.7 Subd. 5. [SITE COUNCILS.] Thestateboard may establish, 39.8 and appoint members to, a site council at each academy. The 39.9 site councils shall exercise power and authority granted by 39.10 thestateboard. Thestateboard must appoint to each site 39.11 council the exclusive representative's employee designee from 39.12 each exclusive representative at the academies. 39.13 Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.02, 39.14 subdivision 6, is amended to read: 39.15 Subd. 6. [TRUSTEE OF ACADEMIES' PROPERTY.] Thestateboard 39.16 is the trustee of the academies' property. Securities and 39.17 money, including income from the property, must be deposited in 39.18 the state treasury according to section 16A.275. The deposits 39.19 are subject to the order of thestateboard. 39.20 Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 39.21 128A.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 39.22 Subd. 7. [GRANTS.] Thestateboard, through the chief 39.23 administrators of the academies, may apply for all competitive 39.24 grants administered by agencies of the state and other 39.25 government or nongovernment sources. Application may not be 39.26 made for grants over which the board has discretion. 39.27 Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.022, is 39.28 amended to read: 39.29 128A.022 [POWERS OFSTATEBOARD OFEDUCATIONTHE FARIBAULT 39.30 ACADEMIES.] 39.31 Subdivision 1. [PERSONNEL.] Thestateboardof education39.32 of the Faribault academies may employ central administrative 39.33 staff members and other personnel necessary to provide and 39.34 support programs and services at each academy. 39.35 Subd. 2. [GET HELP FROM DEPARTMENT.] Thestateboard of 39.36 the Faribault academies may require the department of children, 40.1 families, and learning to provide program leadership, program 40.2 monitoring, and technical assistance at the academies. 40.3 Subd. 3. [UNCLASSIFIED POSITIONS.] Thestateboard of the 40.4 Faribault academies may place any position other than 40.5 residential academies administrator in the unclassified 40.6 service. The position must meet the criteria in section 43A.08, 40.7 subdivision 1a. 40.8 Subd. 4. [RESIDENTIAL AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES.] 40.9 Thestateboard of the Faribault academies may enter into 40.10 agreements with public or private agencies or institutions to 40.11 provide residential and building maintenance services. 40.12 Thestateboard of the Faribault academies must first decide 40.13 that contracting for the services is more efficient and less 40.14 expensive than not contracting for them. 40.15 Subd. 6. [STUDENT TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINEES.] (a) 40.16 Thestateboard of the Faribault academies may enter into 40.17 agreements with teacher preparation institutions for student 40.18 teachers to get practical experience at the academies. A 40.19 licensed teacher must provide appropriate supervision of each 40.20 student teacher. 40.21 (b) Thestateboard of the Faribault academies may enter 40.22 into agreements with accredited higher education institutions 40.23 for certain student trainees to get practical experience at the 40.24 academies. The students must be preparing themselves in a 40.25 professional field that provides special services to children 40.26 with a disability in school programs. To be a student trainee 40.27 in a field, a person must have completed at least two years of 40.28 an approved program in the field. A person who is licensed or 40.29 registered in the field must provide appropriate supervision of 40.30 each student trainee. 40.31 Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.023, 40.32 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 40.33 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 40.34 LEARNING.] The department of children, families, and learning 40.35 must assist thestateboard ofeducationthe Faribault academies 40.36 in preparing reports on the academies. 41.1 Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.023, 41.2 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 41.3 Subd. 2. [DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.] The 41.4 department of employee relations, in cooperation with thestate41.5 board ofeducationthe Faribault academies, must develop a 41.6 statement of necessary qualifications and skills for all staff 41.7 members of the academies. 41.8 Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.026, 41.9 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 41.10 Subdivision 1. [SUBJECTS.] Thestateboard ofeducation41.11 the Faribault academies must establish procedures for: 41.12 (1) admission, including short-term admission, to the 41.13 academies; 41.14 (2) discharge from the academies; 41.15 (3) decisions on a pupil's program at the academies; and 41.16 (4) evaluation of a pupil's progress at the academies. 41.17 Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.026, 41.18 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 41.19 Subd. 3. [NOT CONTESTED CASE.] A proceeding about 41.20 admission to or discharge from the academies or about a pupil's 41.21 program or progress at the academies is not a contested case 41.22 under section 14.02. The proceeding is governed instead by the 41.23 rulesof the state boardgoverning special education. 41.24 Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 128A.07, 41.25 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 41.26 Subd. 2. [LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY.] If the person 41.27 liable for support of a pupil cannot support the pupil, the 41.28 local social services agency of the county of the pupil's 41.29 residence must do so. The commissioner of children, families, 41.30 and learning must decide how much the local social services 41.31 agency must pay. Thestateboard ofeducationthe Faribault 41.32 academies must adopt rules that tell how the commissioner is to 41.33 fix the amount. The local social services agency must make the 41.34 payment to the superintendent of the school district of 41.35 residence. 41.36 Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 169.448, 42.1 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 42.2 Subd. 2. [SCHOOL MOTOR COACHES.] (a) A school district may 42.3 not acquire a motor coach for transportation purposes. 42.4 (b) A motor coach acquired by a school district before 42.5 March 26, 1986, may be used by it only to transport students 42.6 participating in school activities, their instructors, and 42.7 supporting personnel to and from school activities. A motor 42.8 coach may not be outwardly equipped and identified as a school 42.9 bus. A motor coach operated under this subdivision is not a 42.10 school bus for purposes of section 124.225. Thestate board of42.11educationcommissioner of children, families, and learning shall 42.12 implement rules governing the equipment, identification, 42.13 operation, inspection, and certification of motor coaches 42.14 operated under this subdivision. 42.15 (c) After January 1, 1998, a school district may not own or 42.16 operate a motor coach for any purpose. 42.17 Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 42.18 169.974, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 42.19 Subd. 2. [LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.] No person shall operate a 42.20 motorcycle on any street or highway without having a valid 42.21 standard driver's license with a two-wheeled vehicle endorsement 42.22 as provided by law. No such two-wheeled vehicle endorsement 42.23 shall be issued unless the person applying therefor has in 42.24 possession a valid two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit as 42.25 provided herein, has passed a written examination and road test 42.26 administered by the department of public safety for such 42.27 endorsement, and, in the case of applicants under 18 years of 42.28 age, shall present a certificate or other evidence of having 42.29 successfully completed an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's 42.30 safety course in this or another state, in accordance with rules 42.31 promulgated by thestate board of educationcommissioner of 42.32 children, families, and learning for courses offered through the 42.33 public schools, or rules promulgated by the commissioner of 42.34 public safety for courses offered by a private or commercial 42.35 school or institute. The commissioner of public safety may 42.36 waive the road test for any applicant on determining that the 43.1 applicant possesses a valid license to operate a two-wheeled 43.2 vehicle issued by a jurisdiction that requires a comparable road 43.3 test for license issuance. A two-wheeled vehicle instruction 43.4 permit shall be issued to any person over 16 years of age, who 43.5 is in possession of a valid driver's license, who is enrolled in 43.6 an approved two-wheeled vehicle driver's safety course, and who 43.7 has passed a written examination for such permit and has paid 43.8 such fee as the commissioner of public safety shall prescribe. 43.9 A two-wheeled vehicle instruction permit shall be effective for 43.10 one year, and may be renewed under rules to be prescribed by the 43.11 commissioner of public safety. 43.12 No person who is operating by virtue of a two-wheeled 43.13 vehicle instruction permit shall: 43.14 (a) carry any passengers on the streets and highways of 43.15 this state on the motorcycle which the person is operating; 43.16 (b) drive the motorcycle at nighttime; 43.17 (c) drive the motorcycle on any highway marked by the 43.18 commissioner as an interstate highway pursuant to title 23 of 43.19 the United States Code; or 43.20 (d) drive the motorcycle without wearing protective 43.21 headgear that complies with standards established by the 43.22 commissioner of public safety. 43.23 Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the 43.24 commissioner of public safety may, however, issue a special 43.25 motorcycle permit, restricted or qualified in such manner as the 43.26 commissioner of public safety shall deem proper, to any person 43.27 demonstrating a need therefor and unable to qualify for a 43.28 standard driver's license. 43.29 Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 471.18, is 43.30 amended to read: 43.31 471.18 [STATE BOARD OF EDUCATIONCOMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, 43.32 FAMILIES, AND LEARNING TO ESTABLISH QUALIFICATIONS.] 43.33 In all cases where school funds or property are utilized, 43.34 thestate board of educationcommissioner of children, families, 43.35 and learning shall: 43.36 (1) Establish minimum qualifications of local recreational 44.1 directors and instructors; 44.2 (2) Prepare or cause to be prepared, published, and 44.3 distributed adequate and appropriate manuals and other materials 44.4 as it may deem necessary or suitable to carry out the provisions 44.5 of sections 471.15 to 471.19. 44.6 Sec. 76. [REVISOR INSTRUCTION.] 44.7 In the next and subsequent editions of Minnesota Statutes 44.8 and Minnesota Rules, the revisor shall change the term "state 44.9 board of education" or similar terms to the term "commissioner 44.10 of children, families, and learning" or similar terms wherever 44.11 they appear. 44.12 Sec. 77. [REPEALER.] 44.13 Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 121.02, subdivision 2a, 44.14 3, and 4; and 121.11, subdivisions 5, 7, 7b, 7d, 9, 11, 12, and 44.15 14; and Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 121.11, 44.16 subdivisions 7c and 7e, are repealed.