Resolve, To Create a State-run Virtual Academy Providing Maine Students with Access to Online Learning through Their Existing School Districts
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 1736
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: LANGLEY, HUBBELL, MILLETT, SAVIELLO, DAUGHTRY, JOHNSON, MAKER, NELSON, POULIOT

Legislative Document 
No. 1736 
S.P. 689 
In Senate, January 16, 2014 
Resolve, To Create a State-run Virtual Academy Providing Maine 
Students with Access to Online Learning through Their Existing 
School Districts 
(AFTER DEADLINE) 
(EMERGENCY) 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205. 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Cosponsored by Representative HUBBELL of Bar Harbor and 
Senators: MILLETT of Cumberland, SAVIELLO of Franklin, Representatives: DAUGHTRY 
of Brunswick, JOHNSON of Greenville, MAKER of Calais, NELSON of Falmouth, 
POULIOT of Augusta. 
Printed on recycled 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, it is crucial the Department of Education begin its work as soon as 
possible to ensure the department has sufficient time to obtain information and develop 
plans regarding the establishment of a state-run virtual academy; 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.  State-run virtual academy.  Resolved:  That the Department of 
Education shall establish a state-administered virtual academy providing all public 
schools in the State access to online courses for their students.  The department shall 
design the virtual academy in collaboration with associations representing school 
administrators, teachers, school boards and others involved in public education.  In 
designing the virtual academy, the department shall: 
1.  Ensure the virtual academy provides for a blended learning environment that 
offers access to virtual classes along with traditional classroom-based instruction; 
2.  Place particular emphasis on enhancing curriculum and addressing potential 
scheduling obstacles, including scheduling obstacles that may be encountered by students 
in career and technical education programs; and 
3.  Use as models the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative and the Virtual 
Learning Academy Charter School in New Hampshire. 
The department shall complete the design of the virtual academy by August 1, 2015, 
and the virtual academy must be operational by August 1, 2016; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Legislation.  Resolved:  That, by December 1, 2015, the Department of 
Education shall submit any necessary legislation to implement section 1 of this resolve to 
the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education 
matters; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Moratorium.  Resolved:  That the Maine Charter School Commission, 
established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 10-D, 
may not authorize a virtual public charter school and a local school board may not 
authorize a public charter school within its jurisdiction that integrates online and on-site 
instruction until after a state-administered virtual academy established by the Department 
of Education pursuant to section 1 is operational. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Education to establish a virtual academy 
administered by the State providing all public schools in the State access to online 
courses for their students and to submit implementing legislation to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters.  It also imposes 
a moratorium on the authorization of virtual public charter schools and public charter 
schools that integrate online and on-site instruction until after the virtual academy 
administered by the State is operational.