Resolve, To Promote Alternative Schools within Existing School Systems
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1758
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: BOWMAN, EDGECOMB, EMERY, SA VIELLO, SCHATZ, STRANG BURGESS, SCHNEIDER

Legislative Document 
No. 1758 
H.P.1224 
House of Representati ves, March 27, 2007 
Resolve, To Promote Alternative Schools within Existing School 
Systems 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representati ve MUSE of Fryeburg. 
Cosponsored by Senator BOWMAN of York and 
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MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: EDGECOMB of Caribou, EMERY of Cutler, SA VIELLO of Wilton, 
SCHATZ of Blue Hill, STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland, Senator: SCHNEIDER of 
Penobscot. 
Pnnteu on reL"yded paper 
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 Alternative Education Programs Committee is created to review and 
make recommendations for the promotion of alternatives in education within existing 
school systems; and 
Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; 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. Committee established. Resolved: That the Alternative Education 
Programs Committee, referred to in this resolve as "the committee," is established; and be 
it further 
Sec. 2. Committee membership. Resolved: That the committee consists of 13 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. One member from the University of Maine Institute for the Study of Students at 
Risk, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
4. 
Two members from the alternative education advisory committee established 
under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 5152, appointed by the Speaker of 
the House; 
5. One member from the Department of Education, Office of Truancy, Dropout and 
Alternative Education, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
6. One member from the Alternative Education Association of Maine, appointed by 
the Speaker of the House; and 
7. One member from the Committee on Transition, appointed by the President of the 
Senate; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair of the committee and the first-named House of Representatives member is the 
House chair of the committee; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of committee. 
Resolved: 
That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee; and 
be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. Resolved: That the committee shall conduct a review of all 
existing alternative education programs and how they are beneficial to youth at risk in 
Maine. 
1. The committee shall: 
A. Determine the number and types of kindergarten to grade 12 alternative education 
programs existing in the State; 
B. Determine the number of students participating in alternative education programs; 
C. Study the population served by the alternative education programs; 
D. Review the practices that exist for at-risk youth and youth needing alternatives in 
education; 
E. Determine how the alternative education programs help in raising graduation rates 
and lowering dropout rates; 
F. 
Provide the percentage of youth who were identified as being at risk but 
completed high school through participation in an alternative education program; 
G. Research local, state and federal funding sources; 
H. Check how alternative education programs contribute toward helping students be 
college, work and citizenship ready; 
I. Coordinate alternative education programs with extended learning opportunities 
such as 21st-century learning centers, advance placement and employment 
opportuni ties; 
J. Identify the geographic regions in which students do not have access to alternative 
education programs; 
K. Provide anecdotal data regarding the impact of alternative education on the lives 
of students and their parents; and 
L. 
Seek professional development opportunities for staff and administration on 
meeting the needs of at-risk youth. 
2. The committee may hold informational sessions and discussions with experts and 
interested parties; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the committee; and be it further 
Sec. 7. 
Compensation. 
Resolved: 
That the legislative members of the 
committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary 
expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee. Public 
members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they 
represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a 
demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their 
attendance at authorized meetings of the committee; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 19,2007, the committee 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural 
Affairs. The committee is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the 
and be it further 
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: That, if the committee requires a limited extension 
of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, 
which may grant an extension; and be it further 
Sec. 10. Committee budget. Resolved: That the chairs of the committee, with 
assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee's budget. Within 10 
days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget 
to the Legislative Council for its approval. The committee may not incur expenses that 
would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the 
committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the 
committee chairs and staff with a status report on the committee budget, expenditures 
incurred and paid and available funds. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited III the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Alternative Education Programs Committee. 
The 
committee shall review and make recommendations for the promotion of alternatives in 
education within existing school systems.