SP0496
LD 1553
First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature
H "E" to C "A", Filing Number H-637, Sponsored by BELIVEAU
LR 869
Item 8
Bill Tracking, Additional Documents Chamber Status

Amend the amendment in section 5 in §2401 by striking out subsection 5 (page 2, lines 22 to 25 in amendment) and inserting the following:

5 Education service provider.   "Education service provider" means an education management organization, charter management organization, school design provider or any other partner entity with whom a public charter school intends to contract for a limited scope of education services and resources, including education design, implementation or management.

Amend the amendment in section 5 in §2406 in subsection 2 by striking out all of paragraphs H and I and inserting the following:

H With respect to a proposed public charter school that intends to contract with an education service provider for a limited scope of education or management services, in addition to the other requirements of this subsection, the request for proposals must require applicants to:

(1) Explain how and why the education service provider was selected;

(2) Provide evidence of the education service provider's success in serving student populations similar to the targeted population, including demonstrated academic achievement as well as successful management of nonacademic school functions if applicable;

(3) Provide information on the proposed duration of the service contract; roles and responsibilities; scope of services and resources to be provided by the education service provider; performance evaluation measures and timelines; compensation structure, including clear identification of all fees to be paid to the education service provider; methods of contract oversight and enforcement; investment disclosure; and conditions for renewal and termination of the contract;

(4) Provide a draft of the proposed service contract;

(5) Explain the relationship between the governing board, the school's leadership and management team and the education service provider, specifying how the governing board and the school's leadership and management team will monitor and evaluate the performance of the education service provider, the internal controls that will guide the relationship and how the governing board and the school's leadership and management team will ensure fulfillment of performance expectations;

(6) Provide a statement of assurance that the governing board and the school's leadership and management team is legally and operationally independent from the education service provider; and

(7) Disclose and explain any existing or potential conflicts of interest between the governing board, the school's leadership and management team and the education service provider or any affiliated business entities.

Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a virtual public charter school from entering into a contract with an education service provider for education design, implementation or comprehensive management of the virtual public charter school program.

Amend the amendment in section 5 in §2412 in subsection 3 by striking out all of paragraph D (page 20, lines 6 to 8 in amendment) and inserting the following:

D Contract with an education service provider for a limited scope of education services and resources related to the management and operation of the public charter school, as long as the public charter school's governing board retains authority over the oversight and management of the public charter school;

summary

This amendment makes the following changes to the committee amendment.

1. It amends the definition of "education service provider" to limit the scope of educational services and resources that an education management organization, charter management organization, school design provider or any other partner entity may provide to a public charter school through a contract.

2. It amends the request for proposals provision related to an applicant that intends to contract with an education service provider to clarify that services may not be comprehensive and are limited in scope. It also includes language to clarify the roles and relationship of the governing board, the school's leadership and management team and the education service provider. These changes align this provision of the amendment with the changes made to the definition of "education service provider" included in this amendment.

3. It strikes the request for proposals provision related to an applicant that currently operates one or more schools in any other state or nation.

4. It provides an exception for virtual public charter schools with respect to the limitations placed on the scope and role of education service providers in providing educational services and resources for a public charter school.

5. It provides that a public charter school has the power to contract with an education service provider as long as the governing board and the school's leadership and management team retain authority over the oversight and management of the public charter school.


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