Resolve, To Create the Task Force on School Leadership
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1042
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: LANGLEY, FARNSWORTH, EDGECOMB, HUBBELL, MAKER, STEARNS

Legislative Document 
No. 1042 
S.P. 368 
In Senate, March 24, 2015 
Resolve, To Create the Task Force on School Leadership 
(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 LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Cosponsored by Representative FARNSWORTH of Portland and 
Senator: EDGECOMB of Aroostook, Representatives: HUBBELL of Bar Harbor, MAKER of 
Calais, McCLELLAN of Raymond, STEARNS of Guilford. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Task Force on School Leadership to conduct a 
comprehensive study of excellence in school leadership; 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.  Task force established. Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the Task Force on School Leadership, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," 
is established; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  That the task force consists of 19 
members appointed as follows: 
1.  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature; 
2.  Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature; 
3.  Seven members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows: 
A.  Three members with expertise in school leadership issues; 
B.  One member who is a secondary school principal; 
C.  One member who is an assistant principal; 
D.  One member who is a school special education director; and 
E.  One member who is a superintendent of a small rural school district; 
4.  Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows: 
A.  Three members with expertise in school leadership issues; 
B.  One member who is an elementary school principal; 
C.  One member who holds a staff position at the Maine Principals' Association; and 
D.  One member who is a superintendent of a large urban school district; and 
5.  The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee. 
Prior to making appointments to the task force pursuant to subsections 3 and 4, the 
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall seek nominations from the 
Maine Principals' Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association.  The 
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall request the Maine Principals' 
Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association to survey their members 
for recommended nominations; and be it further 
Sec. 3.  Chairs. Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task 
force; and be it further 
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of task force. 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. After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force.  If 30 days or more 
after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been 
made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority 
for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further 
Sec. 5.  Duties. Resolved:  That the task force shall conduct a comprehensive 
study on excellence in school leadership in prekindergarten to grade 12 public schools.  
In performing its work, the task force shall research the various aspects of the issues 
related to excellence in school leadership and arrange presentations by recognized experts 
and practitioners in school leadership including an expert from a school administration 
preparation program at the University of Maine.  The task force shall develop strategies 
to enhance the identification, recruitment, preparation, mentoring, evaluation, 
professional development and retention of effective public school principals and other 
public school leaders; and be it further 
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance. Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further 
Sec. 7.  Report. Resolved:  That, no later than December 2, 2015, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 127th Legislature.  The 
Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill to the 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve establishes the Task Force on School Leadership to conduct a 
comprehensive study on excellence in school leadership in prekindergarten to grade 12 
public schools.