Resolve, To Prevent Overpayment for Virtual Education
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0306
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: JOHNSON, HUBBELL, ALFOND, MILLETT, PATRICK, WOODSOME, EVANGELOS, FOWLE, KORNFIELD

Legislative Document 
No. 306 
S.P. 121 
In Senate, February 10, 2015 
Resolve, To Prevent Overpayment for Virtual Education 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator JOHNSON of Lincoln. 
Cosponsored by Representative HUBBELL of Bar Harbor and 
Senators: ALFOND of Cumberland, MILLETT of Cumberland, PATRICK of Oxford, 
WOODSOME of York, Representatives: EVANGELOS of Friendship, FOWLE of Vassalboro, 
KORNFIELD of Bangor. 
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.