1997 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 124C. Grants for education

  124C.01 Renumbered 120.90 

  124C.02 Repealed, 1991 c 265 art 6 s 67 

    124C.03 Subdivision 1.  Ms 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 
 s 20 
  

    Subd. 2.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 3.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 4.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 5.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 6.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 7.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 8.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 9.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 10.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 11.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 12.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 13.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 14.  MS 1994 Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 15.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 
  

    Subd. 16.  MS 1995 Supp Repealed, 1989 c 329 art 4 s 20 

     124C.07 Comprehensive arts planning program. 

    The Lola and Rudy Perpich Minnesota center for arts 
 education shall prescribe the form and manner of application by 
 one or more school districts to be designated as a site to 
 participate in the comprehensive arts planning program.  Up to 
 30 sites may be selected.  The center shall designate sites in 
 consultation with the Minnesota alliance for arts in education 
 and the Minnesota state arts board.  

    HIST: 1983 c 314 art 6 s 19; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 5 s 3; 1992 c 
 499 art 11 s 2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 11 s 1; 1996 c 412 art 9 s 19 

     124C.08 Comprehensive arts planning program sites. 

    Subdivision 1.    Funding.  Each site shall receive 
 $1,250 each year for two years.  If fewer than 30 sites are 
 selected, each site shall receive an additional proportionate 
 share of money appropriated and not used.  Before receiving 
 money for the second year, a long-range plan for arts education 
 must be submitted to the Lola and Rudy Perpich Minnesota center 
 for arts education. 

    Subd. 2.    Criteria.  The center, in consultation with 
 the comprehensive arts planning program state steering 
 committee, shall establish criteria for site selection.  
 Criteria shall include at least the following:  

    (1) a willingness by the district or group of districts to 
 designate a program chair for comprehensive arts planning with 
 sufficient authority to implement the program; 

    (2) a willingness by the district or group of districts to 
 create a committee comprised of school district and community 
 people whose function is to promote comprehensive arts education 
 in the district; 

    (3) commitment on the part of committee members to 
 participate in training offered by the department of children, 
 families, and learning; 

    (4) a commitment of the committee to conduct a needs 
 assessment of arts education; 

    (5) commitment by the committee to evaluate its involvement 
 in the program; 

    (6) a willingness by the district to adopt a long-range 
 plan for arts education in the district; and 

    (7) location of the district or group of districts to 
 assure representation of urban, suburban, and rural districts 
 and distribution of sites throughout the state. 

    Subd. 3.    Program accounts.  A district receiving 
 funds shall maintain a separate account for the receipt and 
 disbursement of all funds relating to the program.  The funds 
 shall be spent only for the purpose of arts education programs, 
 including teacher release time. 

    Subd. 4.    Additional funding.  A district receiving 
 funds may receive funds for the program from private sources and 
 from other governmental agencies, including any state or federal 
 funds available for arts education. 

    HIST: 1983 c 314 art 6 s 22; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 5 s 4; 1988 c 
 718 art 6 s 14; 1992 c 499 art 11 s 3; 1993 c 224 art 11 s 2,3; 
 1Sp1995 c 3 art 11 s 2; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 9 s 19 

     124C.09 Materials, training, and assistance. 

    The Lola and Rudy Perpich Minnesota center for arts 
 education, in cooperation with the Minnesota alliance for arts 
 in education and the Minnesota state arts board shall provide 
 materials, training, and assistance to the arts education 
 committees in the school districts.  The center may contract 
 with the Minnesota alliance for arts in education for its 
 involvement in providing services, including staff assistance, 
 to the program.  

    HIST: 1983 c 314 art 6 s 23; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 5 s 5; 1992 c 
 499 art 11 s 4; 1993 c 224 art 11 s 4; 1996 c 412 art 9 s 19 

     124C.10 Citation. 

    Sections 124C.11 and 124C.12 may be cited as the Minnesota 
 local partnership act. 

    HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 14 

     124C.11 Purpose of the Minnesota local partnership act. 

    The purpose of the Minnesota local partnership act is to 
 design methods to focus on the development and learning of 
 children and youth in Minnesota in the 1990's and the next 
 century.  Cooperation and collaboration of all services, 
 including education, health, and human services for children and 
 youth will be encouraged at the local and state level.  The 
 program will provide incentives to design a system of 
 child-focused coordinated services to enhance the learning and 
 development of individual children and youth. 

    HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 15 

     124C.12 Minnesota local partnership program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment.  A program is 
 established under the direction of the state board of education 
 with the cooperation of the commissioners of children, families, 
 and learning, health, and human services.  It is expected that 
 participants and other districts will become exemplary districts 
 by the year 2000. 

    Subd. 2.    Eligibility.  An applicant for revenue may 
 be any one of the following: 

    (1) a school district located in a city of the first class 
 offering a program in cooperation with other districts or by 
 itself, in one or more areas in the district or in the entire 
 district; 

    (2) at least two cooperating school districts located in 
 the seven-county metropolitan area but not located in a city of 
 the first class; 

    (3) a group of school districts that are all members of the 
 same education district; 

    (4) an education district; 

    (5) a group of cooperating school districts none of which 
 are members of any education district; or 

    (6) a school district. 

    Subd. 3.    Community education council.  Each revenue 
 recipient must establish one or more community education 
 councils.  A community education council may be composed of 
 elected representatives of local governments, an education 
 district board, school boards, human service providers, health 
 providers, education providers, community service organizations, 
 clergy, local education sites, and local businesses.  The 
 community education council shall plan for the education, human 
 service, and health needs of the community and collaborative 
 ways to modify or build facilities for use by all community 
 residents.  A council formed under this subdivision may be an 
 expansion of and replace the community education advisory 
 council required by section 121.88, subdivision 2. 

    Subd. 4.    Application process.  To obtain revenue, a 
 district or districts must submit an application to the state 
 board in the form and manner established by the state board.  
 Additional information may be required by the state board. 

    Subd. 5.    Revenue.  The state board may award revenue 
 to up to four applicants.  The board may determine the size of 
 the award based upon the application.  Recipients must be 
 located throughout the state.  

    Subd. 6.    Proceeds of revenue.  Revenue may be used 
 for initial planning expenses and for implementing child-focused 
 learning and development programs. 

    HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 16; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13 

  124C.21 Repealed, 1991 c 130 s 38 

  124C.22 Renumbered 121.94 

  124C.23 Renumbered 121.941 

  124C.24 Renumbered 121.942 

  124C.25 Renumbered 121.943 

  124C.26 Renumbered 125.70 

  124C.27 Renumbered 125.701 

  124C.28 Renumbered 125.702 

  124C.29 Renumbered 125.703 

  124C.30 Renumbered 125.704 

  124C.31 Renumbered 125.705 

     124C.41 Teacher centers. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definition.  For the purposes of this 
 section, "teacher" has the meaning given it in section 179A.03, 
 subdivision 18. 

    Subd. 2.    Establishment.  A teacher center may be 
 established by one or more school boards and the exclusive 
 representatives of the teachers.  The teacher center shall serve 
 at least ten districts or 3,000 teachers. 

    Subd. 3.    Policy board membership.  Representatives of 
 exclusive representatives and representatives of the school 
 boards shall mutually determine the composition of the policy 
 board according to the guidelines in this subdivision.  A 
 majority of the policy board must be teachers.  The number of 
 policy board members from each participating district must be in 
 proportion to the number of teachers in each district.  The 
 board shall be composed of elementary teachers, secondary 
 teachers, and other teachers, parents, and representatives of 
 school boards, post-secondary education, business, and labor.  
 At least one teacher from each participating district shall be a 
 member of the board. 

    Subd. 4.    Board powers and duties.  The board shall 
 develop policy, designate a fiscal agent, adopt a budget, expend 
 funds to accomplish the purposes of the center, contract for 
 technical and other assistance, and perform other managerial or 
 supervisory activities consistent with the rules of the state 
 board of education.  The board may employ staff or contract with 
 consultants for services. 

    Subd. 5.    Center functions.  A teacher center shall 
 perform functions according to this subdivision.  The center 
 shall assist teachers, diagnose learning needs, experiment with 
 the use of multiple instructional approaches, assess pupil 
 outcomes, assess staff development needs and plans, and teach 
 school personnel about effective pedagogical approaches.  The 
 center shall develop and produce curricula and curricular 
 materials designed to meet the educational needs of pupils being 
 served, by applying educational research and new and improved 
 methods, practices, and techniques.  The center shall provide 
 programs to improve the skills of teachers to meet the special 
 educational needs of pupils.  The center shall provide programs 
 to familiarize teachers with developments in curriculum 
 formulation and educational research, including how research can 
 be used to improve teaching skills.  The center shall facilitate 
 sharing of resources, ideas, methods, and approaches directly 
 related to classroom instruction and improve teachers' 
 familiarity with current teaching materials and products for use 
 in their classrooms.  The center shall provide in-service 
 programs. 

    Subd. 6. Repealed, 1991 c 265 art 7 s 43 

    Subd. 7. Repealed, 1991 c 265 art 7 s 43; art 8 s 20 

    HIST: 1989 c 329 art 11 s 11 

     124C.45 Area learning center organization. 

    Subdivision 1.    Governance.  A school district may 
 establish an area learning center either by itself or in 
 cooperation with other districts, a SC, an intermediate school 
 district, a local education and employment transitions 
 partnership, public and private secondary and post-secondary 
 institutions, public agencies, businesses, and foundations.  
 Except for a district located in a city of the first class, a 
 center must serve the geographic area of at least two districts. 

    Subd. 1a.    Reserve revenue.  Each school district that 
 is a member of an area learning center must reserve revenue in 
 an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the district average 
 general education revenue less compensatory revenue unit times 
 the number of pupil units attending an area learning center 
 program under this section.  The amount of reserved revenue 
 under this subdivision may only be spent on program costs 
 associated with the area learning center.  Compensatory revenue 
 must be allocated according to section 124A.28, subdivision 1a. 

    Subd. 2.    Access to services.  A center shall have 
 access to the district's regular education programs, technology 
 facilities, and staff.  It may contract with individuals or 
 post-secondary institutions.  It shall seek the involvement of 
 community education programs, post-secondary institutions, 
 community resources, businesses, and other federal, state, and 
 local public agencies.  

    Subd. 3.    Nonresident pupils.  A pupil who does not 
 reside in the district may attend a center without consent of 
 the school board of the district of residence.  

    HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 34; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 20; 1996 c 
 305 art 1 s 138; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 12; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 32 

     124C.46 Center programs and services. 

    Subdivision 1.    Program focus.  The programs and 
 services of a center must focus on academic and learning skills, 
 applied learning opportunities, trade and vocational skills, 
 work-based learning opportunities, work experience, youth 
 service to the community, and transition services.  Applied 
 learning, work-based learning, and service learning may best be 
 developed in collaboration with a local education and 
 transitions partnership.  In addition to offering programs, the 
 center shall coordinate the use of other available educational 
 services, social services, health services, and post-secondary 
 institutions in the community and services area.  

    Subd. 2.    People to be served.  A center shall provide 
 programs for secondary pupils and adults.  A center may also 
 provide programs and services for elementary and secondary 
 pupils who are not attending the center to assist them in being 
 successful in school.  Pupils eligible to be served are those 
 age five to adults 21 and older who qualify under the graduation 
 incentives program in section 126.22, subdivision 2. 

    Subd. 3.    Rules exemption.  Notwithstanding any law to 
 the contrary, the center programs must be available throughout 
 the entire year.  Pupils in a center may receive instruction for 
 more than or less than the daily number of hours required by the 
 rules of the state board of education.  However, a pupil must 
 receive instruction each year for at least the total number of 
 instructional hours required by statutes and rules.  A center 
 may petition the state board under Minnesota Rules, part 
 3500.1000, for exemption from other rules.  

    Subd. 4.    Graduation.  Upon successful completion of 
 the center program, a pupil is entitled to receive a high school 
 diploma.  The pupil may elect to receive a diploma from either 
 the district of residence or the district in which the center is 
 located. 

    HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 35; 1988 c 718 art 6 s 15; 1993 c 146 
 art 5 s 16; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 21; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 17; art 
 6 s 14 

     124C.47 Resource center for other programs. 

    An area learning center must serve as a resource for other 
 districts, educational, community, and business organizations.  
 The center may charge a fee for these services.  The following 
 services shall be provided for a region or the state:  

    (1) information and research for alternative programs; 

    (2) regional or state workshops on awareness, 
 identification, programs, and support for these pupils; and 

    (3) recommendations for staff qualifications to ensure the 
 most qualified staff can be selected for the programs. 

    HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 36 

     124C.48 Center funding. 

    Subdivision 1.    Outside sources.  A center may accept: 

    (1) resources and services from post-secondary institutions 
 serving center pupils; 

    (2) resources from job training partnership act programs, 
 including funding for jobs skills training for various groups 
 and the percentage reserved for education; 

    (3) resources from the department of human services and 
 county welfare funding; 

    (4) resources from a local education and employment 
 transitions partnership; or 

    (5) private resources, foundation grants, gifts, corporate 
 contributions, and other grants.  

    Subd. 2.    General education aid.  Payment of general 
 education aid for nonresident pupils enrolled in the center must 
 be made according to section 124A.036, subdivision 5. 

    HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 37; 1988 c 486 s 78; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 
 4 s 22 

     124C.49 Designation as center. 

    The commissioner of children, families, and learning, in 
 cooperation with the state board of education, shall establish a 
 process for state designation and approval of area learning 
 centers that meet the provisions of sections 124C.45 to 
 124C.48.  Any process for designating and approving an area 
 learning center must emphasize the importance of having the area 
 learning center serve students who have dropped out of school, 
 are homeless, are eligible to receive free or reduced priced 
 lunch, have been suspended or expelled, have been declared 
 truant or are pregnant or parents. 

    HIST: 1988 c 718 art 7 s 52; 1991 c 130 s 25; 1994 c 647 art 4 
 s 27; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13 

     124C.498 Metropolitan magnet school grants. 

    Subdivision 1.    Policy and purpose.  A metropolitan 
 magnet school grant program is established for the purpose of 
 promoting integrated education for students in prekindergarten 
 through grade 12, increase mutual understanding among all 
 students, and address the inability of local school districts to 
 provide required construction funds through local property 
 taxes.  The program seeks to encourage school districts located 
 in whole or in part within the seven-county metropolitan area to 
 make available to school age children residing in the 
 metropolitan area those educational programs, services, and 
 facilities that are essential to meeting all children's needs 
 and abilities.  The program anticipates using the credit of the 
 state, to a limited degree, to provide grants to metropolitan 
 area school districts to improve the educational opportunities 
 and academic achievement of disadvantaged children and the 
 facilities that are available to those children.  

    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, improve, furnish, or 
 equip the building or site of a magnet school facility according 
 to contracts entered into within 24 months after the date on 
 which a grant is awarded. 

    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 $15,000,000 for the approved costs or 
 expansion 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, 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. 

    HIST: 1994 c 643 s 62; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 284 s 
 1,2; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 33; art 7 s 7 

     124C.55 Citation. 

    Sections 124C.55 to 124C.57 may be cited as the 
 "desegregation capital improvement grant act." 

    HIST: 1987 c 400 s 39; 1989 c 209 art 2 s 1 

     124C.56 Approval authority; application forms. 

    Subdivision 1.    Approval by commissioner.  The 
 commissioner of children, families, and learning may approve or 
 disapprove applications under section 124C.57.  The grant money 
 must be used only to remodel or improve a building or site under 
 contracts to be entered into within 15 months after the date 
 each grant is awarded. 

    Subd. 2.    Application forms.  The commissioner of 
 children, families, and learning shall prepare application forms 
 and establish application dates.  

    Subd. 3.    Criteria.  A district applying for a grant 
 under this section must match with local district funds to be 
 used for construction, enlarging, or modifying school 
 buildings.  The commissioner of children, families, and learning 
 must determine that the costs are directly related to reducing 
 or eliminating racial imbalance and are part of an approved 
 desegregation plan.  The district must also certify that the 
 district has sought all available federal funds before 
 submitting a grant application. 

    HIST: 1987 c 400 s 40; 1989 c 300 art 2 s 6,7; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 
 16 s 13 

     124C.57 Grant application process. 

    Subdivision 1.    Qualification.  A school district that 
 meets the criteria required under subdivision 2 may apply for a 
 grant in an amount up to 50 percent of the approved costs of 
 remodeling or improvement. 

    Subd. 2.    Review by commissioner.  A school 
 district 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 facility, regardless of the amount of 
 the capital expenditure required to remodel or improve the 
 building or site.  The commissioner must not approve an 
 application for a grant for a building or site unless the 
 building or site receives a favorable review and comment under 
 section 121.15 and is recommended by the commissioner as part of 
 the district's approved desegregation plan. 

    Subd. 3.    Award of grants.  The commissioner shall 
 examine and consider all applications for grants, and if a 
 district is found not qualified, the commissioner shall promptly 
 notify the district board.  If the total amount of the 
 applications exceeds the amount that is or can be made 
 available, the commissioner shall prorate the available amount 
 among the qualified applicant districts, according to the 
 commissioner's judgment and discretion based upon their 
 respective needs.  The commissioner shall promptly certify to 
 each district the amount, if any, of the grant awarded to it. 

    Subd. 4.    Matching revenue.  Upon being awarded a 
 grant under subdivision 3, the board shall determine the need to 
 bond for additional revenue.  If the board determines that there 
 is no need to bond, it shall certify to the commissioner of 
 children, families, and learning that other funds are available 
 for the purpose.  If a bond issue is required, the board shall 
 submit, within 90 days, the question of authorizing the 
 borrowing of funds for remodeling or improvements to the voters 
 of the district at a special election, that may be held in 
 conjunction with the annual election of the school board 
 members.  If a majority of those voting on the question do not 
 vote in the affirmative, and the district does not have other 
 funds available, the grant must be canceled. 

    Subd. 5.    Project budget.  A district that receives a 
 grant must provide the commissioner with the project budget and 
 any other information the commissioner requests. 

    HIST: 1987 c 400 s 41; 1989 c 300 art 2 s 8,9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 
 16 s 13 

     124C.58 Issuance and sale of bonds. 

    To provide money for grants under the desegregation capital 
 improvement grant act, the commissioner of finance, upon the 
 request of the commissioner of children, families, and learning, 
 shall issue and sell bonds of the state up to the amount of 
 $2,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect 
 prescribed by sections 16A.631 to 16A.675 and the Minnesota 
 Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7. 

    HIST: 1989 c 300 art 2 s 10; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13 

     124C.60 Capital facilities grants for cooperation and 
  combination. 

    Subdivision 1.    Eligibility.  Two or more districts 
 that have consolidated under section 122.23 or combined under 
 sections 122.241 to 122.248, are eligible for a capital 
 facilities grant of up to $200,000 for fiscal year 1995 and 
 $100,000 thereafter under this section.  To qualify the 
 following criteria must be met: 

    (1) the proposed facility changes are part of the plan 
 according to section 122.242, subdivision 10; 

    (2) the changes proposed to a facility must be needed to 
 accommodate changes in the educational program due to the 
 reorganization; 

    (3) the utilization of the facility for educational 
 programs is at least 85 percent of capacity; and 

    (4) the grant will be used only to remodel or improve 
 existing facilities. 

    Subd. 2.    Procedures.  The state board shall establish 
 procedures and deadlines for the grant application.  The state 
 board shall review each application and may require 
 modifications consistent with sections 122.241 to 122.248. 

    Subd. 3.    Use of grant money.  The grant money may be 
 used for any capital expenditures specified in section 124A.22, 
 subdivision 11, clauses (4), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10). 

    HIST: 1993 c 224 art 5 s 36; 1994 c 647 art 6 s 30; 1Sp1995 c 
 3 art 1 s 50; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 68,69 

  124C.61 Renumbered 126.69 

  124C.62 Renumbered 144.1464 

     124C.71 School building accessibility capital 
  improvement grant act. 

    Sections 124C.71 to 124C.73 may be cited as the "school 
 building accessibility capital improvement grant act." 

    HIST: 1993 c 373 s 20 

     124C.72 Approval; application forms. 

    Subdivision 1.    Approval by commissioner.  The 
 commissioner of children, families, and learning may approve or 
 disapprove applications under section 124C.73.  The grant money 
 must be used only to remove architectural barriers from a 
 building or site. 

    Subd. 2.    Application forms.  The commissioner of 
 children, families, and learning shall prepare application forms 
 and establish application dates.  

    Subd. 3.    Match.  A district applying for a grant 
 under this section must match the grant with local district 
 funds. 

    HIST: 1993 c 373 s 21; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13 

     124C.73 Grant application process. 

    Subdivision 1.    Qualification.  A school district that 
 meets the criteria required under subdivision 2 may apply for a 
 grant in an amount up to 50 percent of the approved costs of 
 removing architectural barriers from a building or site.  A 
 grant may not exceed $150,000 to a recipient district in any 
 fiscal year. 

    Subd. 2.    Project review.  The commissioner, in 
 consultation with the Minnesota state council on disability, 
 shall review applications for grants.  A school district must 
 apply by July 1 of each year in order to be considered for a 
 grant. 

    Subd. 3.    Award of grants.  (a) The commissioner shall 
 examine and consider all applications for grants, and if a 
 district is found not qualified, the commissioner shall promptly 
 notify the district board.  The commissioner shall give first 
 priority to school districts that have entered into the 
 cooperation and combination process under sections 122.241 to 
 122.248, or that have consolidated since January 1, 1987.  The 
 commissioner shall further prioritize grants on the basis of the 
 following:  the district's tax burden, the long-term feasibility 
 of the project, the suitability of the project, and the 
 district's need for the project.  If the total amount of the 
 applications exceeds the amount that is or can be made 
 available, the commissioner shall award grants according to the 
 commissioner's judgment and discretion and based upon a ranking 
 of the projects according to the factors listed in this 
 paragraph.  The commissioner shall promptly certify to each 
 district the amount, if any, of the grant awarded to it. 

    (b) For fiscal year 1994, the commissioner may develop 
 criteria in addition to the factors listed in paragraph (a), in 
 order to award demonstration grants. 

    Subd. 4.    Matching revenue.  Upon being awarded a 
 grant under subdivision 3, the board shall determine the need 
 for additional revenue.  If the board determines that the local 
 match cannot be made from existing revenue, the board may levy 
 according to section 124.84. 

    Subd. 5.    Project budget.  A district that receives a 
 grant must provide the commissioner with the project budget and 
 any other information the commissioner requests. 

    HIST: 1993 c 373 s 22; 1996 c 463 s 38 

     124C.74 Telecommunication access grant and statewide 
  coordination. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment; purpose.  The purpose 
 of developing a statewide school district telecommunications 
 network is to expand the availability of a broad range of 
 courses and degrees to students throughout the state, to share 
 information resources to improve access, quality, and 
 efficiency, to improve learning, and distance cooperative 
 learning opportunities, and to promote the exchange of ideas 
 among students, parents, teachers, media generalists, 
 librarians, and the public.  In addition, through the 
 development of this statewide telecommunications network 
 emphasizing cost-effective, competitive connections, all 
 Minnesotans will benefit by enhancing access to 
 telecommunications technology throughout the state.  Network 
 connections for school districts and public libraries will be 
 coordinated and fully integrated into the existing state 
 telecommunications and interactive television networks to 
 achieve comprehensive and efficient interconnectivity of school 
 districts and libraries to higher education institutions, state 
 agencies, other governmental units, agencies, and institutions 
 throughout Minnesota.  A school district may apply to the 
 commissioner for a grant under subdivision 2, and a regional 
 public library may apply under subdivision 3.  The Minnesota 
 education telecommunication council established in Laws 1995, 
 First Special Session chapter 3, article 12, section 7, shall 
 establish priorities for awarding grants, making grant awards, 
 and being responsible for the coordination of networks. 

    Subd. 2.    School district telecommunications grant.  
 (a) A school district may apply for a grant under this 
 subdivision to:  (1) establish connections among school 
 districts, and between school districts and the MNet statewide 
 telecommunications network administered by the department of 
 administration under section 16B.465; or (2) if such a 
 connection meeting minimum electronic connectivity standards is 
 already established, enhance telecommunications capacity for a 
 school district.  The minimum standards of capacity are a 56 
 kilobyte data line and 768 kilobyte ITV connection, subject to 
 change based on the recommendations by the Minnesota education 
 telecommunications council.  A district may submit a grant 
 application for interactive television with higher capacity 
 connections in order to maintain multiple simultaneous 
 connections.  To ensure coordination among school districts, a 
 school district must submit its grant application to the council 
 through an organization that coordinates the applications and 
 connections of at least ten school districts or through an 
 existing technology cooperative.  

    (b) The application must, at a minimum, contain information 
 to document for each applicant school district the following: 

    (1) that the proposed connection meets the minimum 
 standards and employs an open network architecture that will 
 ensure interconnectivity and interoperability with other 
 education institutions and libraries; 

    (2) that the proposed connection and system will be 
 connected to MNet through the department of administration under 
 section 16B.465 and that a network service and management 
 agreement is in place; 

    (3) that the proposed connection and system will be 
 connected to the higher education telecommunication network and 
 that a governance agreement has been adopted which includes 
 agreements between the school district system, a higher 
 education regional council, libraries, and coordinating 
 entities; 

    (4) the telecommunication vendor, which may be MNet, 
 selected to provide service from the district to an MNet hub or 
 to a more cost-effective connection point to MNet; and 

    (5) other information, as determined by the commissioner in 
 consultation with the education telecommunications council, to 
 ensure that connections are coordinated, meet state standards 
 and are cost-effective, and that service is provided in an 
 efficient and cost-effective manner. 

    (c) A grant applicant shall obtain a grant proposal for 
 network services from MNet.  If MNet is not selected as the 
 vendor, the application must provide the reasons for choosing an 
 alternative vendor.  A school district may include, in its grant 
 application, telecommunications access for collaboration with 
 nonprofit arts organizations for the purpose of educational 
 programs, or access for a secondary media center that:  (1) is a 
 member of a multitype library system; (2) is open during periods 
 of the year when classroom instruction is occurring; and (3) has 
 licensed school media staff on site. 

    (d) The Minnesota education telecommunications council 
 shall award grants and the funds shall be dispersed by the 
 commissioner.  The highest priority for these grants shall be to 
 bring school districts up to the minimum connectivity standards. 
 A grant to enhance telecommunications capacity beyond the 
 minimum connectivity standards shall be no more than 75 percent 
 of the maximum grant under this subdivision.  Grant applications 
 for minimum connection and enhanced telecommunications capacity 
 grants must be submitted to the commissioner by a coordinating 
 organization including, but not limited to, service cooperatives 
 and education districts.  For the purposes of the grant, a 
 school district may include a charter school under section 
 120.064, or the Faribault academies.  Based on the award made by 
 the council, all grants under this subdivision shall be paid by 
 the commissioner directly to a school district (unless this 
 application requests that the funds be paid to the coordinating 
 agency).  Nonpublic schools as defined in section 237.065, 
 subdivision 2, located within the district may access the 
 network.  The nonpublic school is responsible for actual costs 
 for connection from the school to the access site. 

    (e) Money awarded under this section may be used only for 
 the purposes explicitly stated in the grant application. 

    Subd. 3.    Regional library telecommunication grant.  
 (a) A regional public library system may apply for a 
 telecommunication access grant.  The grant must be used to 
 create or expand the capacity of electronic data access and 
 connect the library system with the MNet statewide 
 telecommunications network administered by the department of 
 administration under section 16B.465.  Connections must meet 
 minimum system standards of a 56 kilobyte data line and 768 
 kilobyte ITV connection.  To be eligible for a 
 telecommunications access grant, a regional public library 
 system must:  (1) meet the level of local support required under 
 section 134.34; and (2) be open at least 20 hours per week. 

    (b) Any grant award under this subdivision may not be used 
 to substitute for any existing local funds allocated to provide 
 electronic access, or equipment for library staff or the public, 
 or local funds previously dedicated to other library operations. 

    (c) An application for a regional public library 
 telecommunications access grant must, at a minimum, contain 
 information to document the following: 

    (1) that the connection meets the minimum standards and 
 employs an open network architecture that will ensure 
 interconnectivity and interoperability with other libraries and 
 the educational system; 

    (2) that the connection is being established through the 
 most cost-effective means and that the public library has 
 explored and coordinated connections through school districts or 
 other governmental agencies; 

    (3) that the proposed connection and system will be 
 connected to MNet through the department of administration under 
 section 16B.465 and that a network service and management 
 agreement is in place; 

    (4) that the proposed connection and system will be 
 connected to the higher education and to the school district 
 telecommunication networks subject to a governance agreement 
 with one or more school districts and a higher education 
 regional council specifying how the system will be coordinated; 

    (5) the telecommunication vendor, which may be MNet, 
 selected to provide service from the library to an MNet hub or 
 through a more cost-effective connection point to MNet; and 

    (6) other information, as determined by the commissioner, 
 to ensure that connections are coordinated, meet state 
 standards, are cost-effective, and that service is provided in 
 an efficient and cost-effective manner so that libraries 
 throughout the state are connected in as seamless a manner as 
 technically possible. 

    (d) A grant applicant shall obtain a grant proposal for 
 network services from MNet.  If MNet is not selected as the 
 vendor, the application must provide the reasons for choosing an 
 alternative vendor. 

    Subd. 4.    Award of grants.  The council shall develop 
 application forms and procedures for school district minimum 
 connectivity grants, enhanced telecommunications grants, and 
 regional library telecommunication access grants.  The council 
 shall select the grant recipient and shall promptly notify any 
 applicant that is found not to be qualified.  The commissioner 
 shall make the grant payments directly to the school district or 
 regional library system.  At the request of the district, the 
 commissioner may make the grant payment directly to the 
 coordinating organization.  If appropriations are insufficient 
 to fund all applications, the commissioner shall first fully 
 fund the minimum connectivity grants.  Unsuccessful applicants 
 may reapply for a grant. 

    HIST: 1Sp1995 c 3 art 12 s 4; 1996 c 412 art 12 s 2,3 

     124C.77 Endowed chair. 

    Subdivision 1.    Purpose.  The purpose of the endowed 
 chair program is to increase curriculum offerings and learning 
 experiences available to students. 

    Subd. 2.    Eligibility.  A school site, represented by 
 the school site council or, if no site council exists, the 
 principal or lead teacher, and the party interested in endowing 
 a chair may enter into an agreement for an endowed chair for no 
 longer than one year in length.  The party endowing the chair 
 and the school site may, at their discretion, renew annually. 

    Subd. 3.    Program.  An endowed chair program may be 
 for a semester, a summer session, or a full school year.  
 Curriculum developed or provided under the endowed chair program 
 must supplement the existing curriculum offerings available at 
 the school in the particular subject chosen. 

    Subd. 4.    Agreement.  The agreement must make 
 available funds sufficient for the salary and benefit costs of 
 the instructor, and necessary supplies for the course.  The 
 participating site must provide the classroom space and 
 administer the program.  The parties, in consultation with the 
 school district and the exclusive representative of the 
 teachers, jointly select the instructor for the endowed chair. 

    HIST: 1996 c 412 art 8 s 9