Resolve, To Ensure Support for a Model of Consolidated and Integrated Secondary and Postsecondary Education

Sec. 1. Model of consolidated and integrated secondary and postsecondary education. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall recommend to the State Board of Education an innovative model of consolidated and integrated secondary and postsecondary education that includes facilities for:

1. A regional high school;

2. A fully integrated career and technical high school;

3. A higher education center that will provide courses and degrees from both the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System; and

4. Centers of excellence that will provide industry-specific training; and be it further

Sec. 2. Criteria. Resolved: That the model selected pursuant to section 1 must:

1. Promote the development of a "one campus" design, where all facilities are located on one site, providing a streamlined and integrated learning experience for students of all ages;

2. Integrate and consolidate administrative responsibilities on the campus wherever possible, thereby reducing costs for overhead and shared functions;

3. Be located in a region with high schools whose consolidation would benefit future generations of students and provide reduced costs to the communities involved;

4. Have an advisory body that is integrated with the local economy, including the community involvement of students, citizens, business leaders, teachers, parents and organizations to promote both employment opportunities for students and citizens and a skilled workforce optimal for economic development; and

5. Serve as an example for other school districts and areas of the State; and be it further

Sec. 3. Emergency rules. Resolved: That, pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 8073 and not later than October 31, 2008, the State Board of Education is authorized to adopt major substantive rules on an emergency basis to amend "Chapter 61: State Board of Education Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects" to ensure that an innovative model as recommended pursuant to section 1 can be implemented as soon as funds are made available. The emergency rules must be based on the criteria established in sections 1 and 2. The State Board of Education shall also file provisionally adopted rules by December 31, 2008 that amend "Chapter 61: State Board of Education Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects" to ensure that an innovative model can be implemented as soon as funds are made available; and be it further

Sec. 4. Funding for construction. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall ensure that future construction funding for the comprehensive high school and career and technical high school portions of the model recommended pursuant to section 1 is included in the next available round of new school construction funding in this State. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15905, subsection 1, paragraph A-1 and not later than December 31, 2008, the Commissioner of Education shall recommend an increase in the debt ceiling effective in fiscal year 2011-12 to create a pool of available funds for the innovative model based on the criteria set forth in sections 1 and 2. Funds used for the innovative model selected pursuant to this resolve may not impact the funds that would normally be used for new school construction projects that are prioritized and selected under the current guidelines set forth in "Chapter 61: State Board of Education Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects"; and be it further

Sec. 5. Deadline for selection of model. Resolved: That, not later than December 31, 2008, the Department of Education shall recommend, and the State Board of Education shall select, a qualified applicant to implement the innovative model pursuant to this resolve based on the emergency rules established pursuant to section 3.