Minnesota Session Laws - 1996, Regular Session

  
    
KEY: stricken = old language to be removed
     underscored = new language to be added
    
                            CHAPTER 284-S.F.No. 2019 
                  An act relating to education; clarifying approved 
                  costs for a magnet school facility; amending Minnesota 
                  Statutes 1994, section 124C.498, subdivision 3; 
                  Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 124C.498, 
                  subdivision 2. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1995 Supplement, section 
        124C.498, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [APPROVAL AUTHORITY; APPLICATION FORMS.] To the 
        extent money is available, the commissioner of children, 
        families, and learning may approve projects from applications 
        submitted under this section.  The grant money must be used only 
        to design, acquire, construct, remodel, or improve, furnish, or 
        equip the building or site of a magnet school facility according 
        to contracts entered into within 15 months after the date on 
        which a grant is awarded. 
           Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 124C.498, 
        subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 3.  [GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS.] (a) Any group of 
        school districts that meets the criteria required under 
        paragraph (b)(i) may apply for a magnet school grant in an 
        amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for the approved construction 
        costs of a magnet school facility. 
           (b)(i) Any group of districts that submits an application 
        for a grant shall submit a proposal to the commissioner for 
        review and comment under section 121.15, and the commissioner 
        shall prepare a review and comment on the proposed magnet school 
        facility, regardless of the amount of the capital expenditure 
        required to design, acquire, construct, remodel, or improve, 
        furnish, or equip the facility.  The commissioner must not 
        approve an application for a magnet school grant for any 
        facility unless the facility receives a favorable review and 
        comment under section 121.15 and the participating districts: 
           (1) establish a joint powers board under section 471.59 to 
        represent all participating districts and govern the magnet 
        school facility; 
           (2) design the planned magnet school facility to meet the 
        applicable requirements contained in Minnesota Rules, chapter 
        3535; 
           (3) submit a statement of need, including reasons why the 
        magnet school will facilitate integration and improve learning; 
           (4) prepare an educational plan that includes input from 
        both community and professional staff; and 
           (5) develop an education program that will improve learning 
        opportunities for students attending the magnet school. 
           (ii) The districts may develop a plan that permits social 
        service, health, and other programs serving students and 
        community residents to be located within the magnet school 
        facility.  The commissioner shall consider this plan when 
        preparing a review and comment on the proposed facility.  
           (c) When two or more districts enter into an agreement 
        establishing a joint powers board to govern the magnet school 
        facility, all member districts shall have the same powers.  
           (d) A joint powers board of participating school districts 
        established under paragraphs (b) and (c) that intends to apply 
        for a grant shall adopt a resolution stating the costs of the 
        proposed project, the purpose for which the debt is to be 
        incurred, and an estimate of the dates when the contracts for 
        the proposed project will be completed.  A copy of the 
        resolution must accompany any application for a state grant 
        under this section. 
           (e)(i) The commissioner shall examine and consider all 
        grant applications.  If the commissioner finds that any joint 
        powers district is not a qualified grant applicant, the 
        commissioner shall promptly notify that joint powers board.  The 
        commissioner shall make awards to no more than two qualified 
        applicants whose applications have been on file with the 
        commissioner more than 30 days.  
           (ii) A grant award is subject to verification by the joint 
        powers board under paragraph (f).  A grant award must not be 
        made until the participating districts determine the site of the 
        magnet school facility.  If the total amount of the approved 
        applications exceeds the amount of grant funding that is or can 
        be made available, the commissioner shall allot the available 
        amount equally between the approved applicant districts.  The 
        commissioner shall promptly certify to each qualified joint 
        powers board the amount, if any, of the grant awarded to it. 
           (f) Each grant must be evidenced by a contract between the 
        joint powers board and the state acting through the 
        commissioner.  The contract obligates the state to pay to the 
        joint powers board an amount computed according to paragraph 
        (e)(ii) and a schedule, and terms and conditions acceptable to 
        the commissioner of finance. 
           Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           This act is effective the day following final enactment. 
           Presented to the governor February 26, 1996 
           Signed by the governor February 27, 1996, 10:16 a.m.