Sec. 8. Power to borrow money. The board may borrow money to pay for the current operating expenses as long as the loans are repaid within 13 months of the date of borrowing and the borrowing is limited to an amount reasonably required for the operating expenses of the year for which the money is borrowed.

Sec. 9. Leases. The board may enter into leases for the purchase of equipment and services. The leasing period may not exceed the useful life of the equipment or services being leased.

Sec. 10. Assistance from Department of Education. The Department of Education shall provide training for administrative staff and teacher leaders in the implementation of teacher-directed instructional improvement, including assessment, innovative use of community resources and curriculum development.

Sec. 11. Appropriation. An appropriation equal to the amount recommended under the essential programs and services funding plan for technology must be made available in fiscal year 2004-05 to be used exclusively for technology, including equipment, staff development, consultation and supplies. The appropriation must be based on total resident kindergarten to grade 12 enrollment of East Millinocket, Medway and Millinocket as of April 1, 2004.

Sec. 12. Loss of foundation allocation aid. The Legislature agrees to hold the participating municipalities harmless from loss of the foundation allocation aid for fiscal year 2004-05 to assist the participating municipalities in the transition from operating as individual units to participating in SLD #1. Funding for subsequent years must be consistent with laws enacted by the Legislature.

Sec. 13. Grant for programs. A 3-year grant in an amount equal to 1/2 of the per pupil guarantee multiplied by the number of students preregistered for the fall kindergarten classes as of April 1, 2004 must be made available to SLD #1 for the support of all-day kindergarten programs, home-based preschool programs and public and private center-based preschool programs in fiscal year 2004-05. The original amount of the grant is reduced by 50% in fiscal year 2005-06 and 75% in fiscal year 2006-07.

Sec. 14. Tuition. Tuition in SLD #1 must be based on the aggregate costs for elementary and secondary education.