Resolve, To Prevent Overpayment for Virtual Education

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the current essential programs and services funding model for virtual public charter schools overpays for services, teachers and facilities that are not actually provided by the virtual public charter schools; and

Whereas,  further taxpayer money will be needlessly spent on overpayments if the current funding model for virtual public charter schools is not changed before the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year; and

Whereas,  the 2015-2016 school year will likely begin before the expiration of the 90-day period; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Education to design a different essential programs and services funding model for virtual public charter school educational services. Resolved: That the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Maine Education Policy Research Institute, shall design an essential programs and services funding model for virtual public charter school educational services different from the current model in that it must reflect evidence-based, appropriate costs, such as current staffing ratios, to determine the proper calculated per-pupil funding paid to a virtual public charter school; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall report the revised funding model for virtual public charter schools and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by June 1, 2015. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill based on the report and recommended legislation to the First Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve requires the Department of Education in conjunction with the Maine Education Policy Research Institute to design an essential programs and services funding model for virtual public charter schools that reflects evidence-based, appropriate costs to reduce the current overpayment made to virtual public charter schools for services, teachers and facilities that are not actually provided by the virtual public charter schools. This resolve requires the Department of Education to report the new funding model for virtual public charter schools to the Legislature by June 1, 2015.