1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; modifying requirements for establishing an area learning 
1.3 	center;amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 123A.05, subdivision 1.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 123A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Governance. (a) A district may establish an area learning center, 
1.7 	alternative learning program, or contract alternative in accordance with sections 124D.68, 
1.8 	subdivision 3, paragraph (d), and 124D.69.
1.9 	(b) An area learning center is encouraged to cooperate with a service cooperative, an 
1.10 	intermediate school district, a local education and employment transitions partnership, public 
1.11 	and private secondary and postsecondary institutions, public agencies, businesses, and 
1.12 	foundations. ~~Except for a district located in a city of the first class,~~ An area learning center 
1.13 	~~must~~is encouraged, but not required, to be established in cooperation with other districts 
1.14 	and ~~must~~may serve the geographic area of at least two districts. An area learning center 
1.15 	must provide comprehensive educational services to enrolled secondary students throughout 
1.16 	the year, including a daytime school within a school or separate site for both high school 
1.17 	and middle school level students.
1.18 	(c) An alternative learning program may serve the students of one or more districts, may 
1.19 	designate which grades are served, and may make program hours and a calendar optional.
1.20 	(d) A contract alternative is an alternative learning program operated by a private 
1.21 	organization that has contracted with a school district to provide educational services for 
1.22 	students under section 124D.68, subdivision 2.