‘Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA c. 117, sub-c. 5 is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 5
TOWN ACADEMy ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Town Academy Advisory Council is established within the department to advise the commissioner and the Legislature on matters related to the development of policies concerning the education of public tuition students at town academies. For the purposes of this subchapter, "town academy" means a private secondary school receiving tuition from public funds for 60% or more of its students.
1. Members. The Town Academy Advisory Council, established under Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 13-A and referred to in this subchapter as "the council," consists of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee and 7 members appointed by the Governor: A. Three heads of town academies nominated by a statewide association representing town academies;
B. A trustee of a town academy;
C. An elected member of a school board for a school administrative unit served by a town academy; and
D. Two representatives of a statewide association of public school superintendents, nominated by that association, who have at least 2 years' experience working with a town academy.
2. Duties. The council shall: A. Provide advice to the commissioner regarding all rules and legislation proposed by the commissioner that refer or relate to town academies;
B. Facilitate communication among town academies, the department and school superintendents; and
C. Meet no less than twice each year to perform its duties.
3. Quorum. Four members of the council constitute a quorum.
4. Terms of office. Except for initial appointees and the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, each member serves for a term of 3 years or until the member's successor has been appointed. Except for the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, a member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms. In the case of a vacancy for any reason, the Governor shall appoint a member representing the same interest to fill the unexpired term.
Sec. 3. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 3061, subsection 4, initial appointments made to the Town Academy Advisory Council are as set out in this section.
1. Of the 3 appointments made under Title 20-A, section 3061, subsection 1, paragraph A, one is for a term of one year, one for 2 years and one for 3 years.
2. The appointment made under Title 20-A, section 3061, subsection 1, paragraph B is for a term of 2 years.
3. The appointment made under Title 20-A, section 3061, subsection 1, paragraph C is for a term of one year.
4. One of the appointments made under Title 20-A, section 3061, subsection 1, paragraph D is for a term of 2 years and one is for a term of 3 years.’
This amendment is the majority report. It clarifies the term "town academy." It adds a member of a school board to the advisory council. It also specifies the terms of appointment and staggers terms for initial appointments.