An Act To Amend the Education Statutes
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 1845
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: BRENNAN
Amends: 20-A MRSA §8, 20-A MRSA §4502, 20-A MRSA §4707, 20-A MRSA §4709, 20-A MRSA §4721, 20-A MRSA §4722, 20-A MRSA §5806, 20-A MRSA §6213, 20-A MRSA §6801-A, 20-A MRSA §15005, 20-A MRSA §15671, 20-A MRSA §15671-A, 20-A MRSA §15672, 20-A MRSA §15680, 20-A MRSA §15680-A, 20-A MRSA §15681-A, 20-A MRSA §15683, 20-A MRSA §15689, 20-A MRSA §15689-B, 20-A MRSA §15901, 20-A MRSA §15904, 20-A MRSA §15905

Legislative Document
No. 1845
H.P. 1366
House of Representatives, December 22, 2021
An Act To Amend the Education Statutes
Submitted by the Department of Education pursuant to Joint Rule 203.
Received by the Clerk of the House on December 20, 2021.  Referred to the Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative BRENNAN of Portland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §8, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 407, §1, is amended to read:
§8.  Restructuring public schools Public school innovation
The In order to support a culture of research and development and elevate the 
professionalism of the State's education practitioners, the commissioner shall encourage 
school administrative units to pursue an ongoing process of school restructuring continuous 
improvement processes to identify opportunities to innovate school structures and policies 
as a means of more effectively meeting the learning needs and improving the academic 
performance of all students.  The public and private postsecondary institutions of higher 
education in the State are urged to cooperate partner with the department, the state board 
and school administrative units to provide appropriate and timely professional development 
programs and other support services to educators employed in public schools engaged in 
school restructuring innovation efforts.
1.  School restructuring innovation.  For the purposes of this section, the term "school 
restructuring innovation" means the process by which schools and communities use pilot 
programs and make significant changes in the existing school structure, including the 
policies, roles, relationships, pathways and schedules that influence teaching and learning 
in the school.  School restructuring innovation recognizes the critical educational role of 
technology and integrates technology and technological systems in the classroom, in school 
governance and in school record keeping.  School restructuring innovation is based on:
A.  The development of comprehensive educational goals establishing community 
expectations for what all students should know, the skills they should possess, the 
attitude toward work and learning they should hold upon completing school and the 
role of the school in the community;
B.  A formal appraisal of the basic structures that govern operation of the school; and
C.  A commitment to revise the basic school structure to achieve the comprehensive 
educational goals.
School restructuring innovation, which is most effectively carried out at the local level, 
depends on community and educator involvement and approval and student participation.  
School restructuring innovation includes consideration of changing roles for empathetic 
understanding of the various roles of stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, 
administrators, support staff, postsecondary education institutions and officials, and 
various segments of the community.  It focuses on understanding and defining the root 
cause of challenges and innovates and tests solutions. School innovation may include a 
significantly broadened role for schools and school administrative units that engage in 
education research and development. The commissioner may designate a school 
administrative unit that engages in education research and development as a demonstration 
site.
School restructuring may include schools and school administrative units combining efforts 
to cooperatively pursue restructuring activities.  When that occurs, one or more schools or 
units may be designated as demonstration sites.
2.  Waiver of rules for local schools.  A school administrative unit undergoing school 
restructuring innovation may request that the commissioner waive the application of 
specific rules to that unit, or to certain schools in that unit, if such action the waiver is 
necessary to achieve school restructuring the proposed innovation.  The commissioner shall 
grant a waiver if the requesting unit, as determined by the commissioner, has:
A.  Demonstrated that one or more state rules prevent or seriously handicap the unit's 
pursuit of its restructuring innovation goals;
B.  Demonstrated that reasonable steps have been taken to provide the safeguards 
offered by the rules in question to allow continued educational progress by students 
and protect the continuity and integrity of the unit and employees of that unit;
C.  Provided evidence that the necessary resources and community and staff support 
are present to ensure that the restructuring innovative changes requiring the waiver 
stand a reasonable chance of succeeding; and
D.  Informed any bargaining agent or agents representing affected school employees 
of the waiver request; and.
E.  Established a working relationship regarding professional development with an 
institution of higher education or a professional development service provider.
The request for the waiver must include documentation to substantiate the conditions of 
this subsection.  If the request is denied, the commissioner shall provide the reasons for 
denying the request to the school unit.
3.  Waiver of rules for educator preparation programs.  In order to prepare 
educators to work in restructuring innovative schools, an educator preparation program 
may request that the state board waive the application of specific rules governing approval 
of that program.  The state board shall grant waiver requests if, in the board's opinion, the 
program has:
A.  Demonstrated that the rules for which a waiver is requested prevent or seriously 
handicap the program in its pursuit of a plan to meet the educational needs of its 
students and the staffing needs of restructuring innovative schools;
B.  Demonstrated that reasonable steps have been taken to provide the safeguards 
offered by the rules in question to allow continued educational progress by students 
and protect the continuity and integrity of the program and employees of that program;
C.  Provided evidence that the necessary resources and support from the governing 
body and staff of an institution of higher education are present to ensure that the 
changes requiring the waiver stand a reasonable chance of succeeding;
D.  Informed any bargaining agent or agents representing affected program employees 
of the waiver request; and
E.  Developed service, research and teaching relationships with one or more 
restructuring  innovative public schools.
The request for the waiver must include documentation to substantiate the conditions of 
this subsection.  If the request is denied, the state board shall communicate the reasons for 
denying the request to the petitioning program.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §4502, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §1, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Curriculum requirements.  Schools must meet all curriculum requirements 
established in chapter 207‑A.  Schools that offer public preschool programs shall 
demonstrate curriculum practice for those programs that implements the Maine early 
childhood learning guidelines and development standards established by the department 
and the Department of Health and Human Services and is appropriate for the age and 
development level of the children.
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §4707, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 80, is amended to read:
§4707.  Instruction in Braille and Nemeth Code Unified English Braille
Schools may offer instruction in Braille and Nemeth Code Unified English Braille as 
part of the school curriculum.  When If Braille or Nemeth Code Unified English Braille 
courses are offered, schools shall determine appropriate credit for completion of those 
courses.
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §4709, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 292, §1, is 
amended to read:
A.  "Braille" means the system of reading and writing through touch, commonly known 
as standard English Braille.
Sec. 5.  20-A MRSA §4721, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2021, c. 190, §3, is further 
amended to read:
1.  Comprehensive program of instruction.  A secondary school shall provide a 
comprehensive program of instruction of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the 
requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation 
diploma requirements established under section 6209.  The program must include 
instruction for all students in life and career readiness, English language arts, health 
education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, engineering, 
social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages.
Sec. 6.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2019, c. 202, §1, is further 
amended to read:
1.  Minimum instructional requirements.  The instructional requirements leading to 
a high school diploma must include a minimum 4-year be part of a program of at least 4 
years that meets the requirements established by this section and any other instructional 
requirements established by the commissioner and the school board.
Sec. 7.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2019, c. 202, §1, is further 
amended to read:
2.  Required subjects Diploma requirements.  Instruction in the following subjects 
must be provided in separate or, integrated study programs, and students or applied learning 
programs. Students may demonstrate achievement of the standards through multiple 
pathways, including those identified in section 4703, and by evidence documented by 
course and learning experiences using multiple measures, including examinations, quizzes, 
portfolios, performances, exhibitions, projects and community service. A diploma indicates 
that the graduate has completed the requirements described in this section and is ready to 
enter a postsecondary education program or a career as a clear and effective communicator, 
a self-directed and lifelong learner, a creative and practical problem solver, a responsible 
and involved citizen and an informed and integrative thinker. Students must complete the 
following minimum requirements for a high school diploma:
A.  English--4 years or the equivalent in standards achievement;
B.  Social studies and history, including American history, government, civics and 
personal finance--2 years or the equivalent in standards achievement;
C.  Mathematics--2 years or the equivalent in standards achievement;
D.  Science, including at least one year of laboratory study--2 years or the equivalent 
in standards achievement; and
E.  Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama--one year or the 
equivalent in standards achievement.
Sec. 8.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2019, c. 202, §1, is 
repealed.
Sec. 9.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2-B, as enacted by PL 2019, c. 202, §1, is 
repealed.
Sec. 10.  20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2019, c. 202, §1, is further 
amended to read:
3.  Satisfactory completion.  A secondary school student may earn a diploma may be 
awarded to a secondary school if the student who has satisfactorily completed all diploma 
requirements in accordance with the academic standards of the school administrative unit 
and this section.  All secondary school students must achieve the content standards of the 
parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established pursuant to 
section 6209.  A school administrative unit shall award a high school diploma to a child 
with a disability, as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B, who satisfies the local diploma 
requirements in the manner specified by the child's individualized education plan must be 
awarded a high school diploma.  Career and technical students may, consistent with the 
approval of the commissioner and the local school board, satisfy the requirements of 
subsection 2 through separate or integrated study within the career and technical school 
curriculum, including through courses provided pursuant to section 8402 or 8451-A, on the 
approval of the commissioner and the local school board.
Sec. 11.  20-A MRSA §5806, sub-§2, as repealed and replaced by PL 2013, c. 497, 
§1, is amended to read:
2.  Maximum allowable tuition.  The maximum allowable tuition charged to a school 
administrative unit by a private school is the rate established under subsection 1 or the state 
average per public secondary student cost as adjusted, whichever is lower, plus an insured 
value factor.  The insured value factor is computed by dividing 5% of the insured value of 
school buildings and equipment by the average number of pupils enrolled in the school on 
October 1st and April 1st of the year immediately before the school year for which the 
tuition charge is computed.  From school year 2009-2010 to school year 2013-2014, a 
school administrative unit is not required to pay an insured value factor greater than 5% of 
the school's tuition rate or $500 per student, whichever is less, unless the legislative body 
of the school administrative unit votes to authorize its school board to pay a higher insured 
value factor that is no greater than 10% of the school’s tuition rate per student.  For the 
2014-2015 school year, a school administrative unit is not required to pay an insured value 
factor greater than 6% of the school's tuition rate per student, unless the legislative body of 
the school administrative unit votes to authorize its school board to pay a higher insured 
value factor that is no greater than 10% of the school's tuition rate per student.  Beginning 
in the 2015-2016 school year, a school administrative unit is not required to pay an insured 
value factor greater than the amount of the prior school year's insured value factor adjusted 
by a percentage equal to the percentage change in the state share percentage of the total 
cost of funding public education in the prior school year as determined by described in 
section 15671, subsection 7, paragraph C as compared to the applicable percentage for the 
current school year.  In no case may the insured value factor be less than 6% or greater than 
10% of the school's tuition rate per student, unless the legislative body of the school 
administrative unit votes to authorize its school board to pay an insured value factor that 
exceeds the amount otherwise permitted by this subsection by no more than 5% of the 
school's tuition rate per student.  For the 2013-2014 school year only, the maximum 
allowable tuition charged to a school administrative unit by a private school that 
participates in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System must be increased above 
the amount otherwise permitted under this section by an amount equal to the calculated 
normal cost of teacher retirement for that school divided by the number of enrolled students 
as of October 1, 2012.
Sec. 12.  20-A MRSA §6213, sub-§10, ¶D, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 446, §2, is 
amended to read:
D.  The applicable federal statutes and regulations pertaining to student assessment as 
required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Every Student Succeeds Act 
of 2015, 20 United States Code, Chapter 70; and
Sec. 13.  20-A MRSA §6801-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§24 
and 25, is amended to read:
1.  Authority to withhold state subsidy.  If, after giving due notice and an opportunity 
for a hearing, the commissioner finds that a school administrative unit or career and 
technical education region is not in compliance with the reporting, program or other 
requirements of this Title, the commissioner may withhold state subsidy from that unit or 
region. The withholding shall may continue only as long as necessary to achieve 
compliance.
Sec. 14.  20-A MRSA §6801-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1989, c. 414, §19 and 
c. 910, §1, is further amended to read:
2.  Authority to withhold state subsidy until reports are received.  Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, if a school administrative unit or career and technical education 
region has failed to file the reports required by this Title in the format and within the time 
periods specified, the commissioner may withhold state subsidy payments until these 
reports are received.
Sec. 15.  20-A MRSA §6801-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1989, c. 414, §19, is 
further amended to read:
3.  Action by Attorney General.  If compliance cannot be achieved by withholding 
subsidy payment, or if withholding would be an inappropriate or unavailable remedy, or if 
a school or, school unit which is not eligible for state subsidy or career and technical 
education region is out of compliance with this Title and that school, school unit or career 
and technical education region is not eligible for state subsidy, the commissioner may refer 
the matter to the Attorney General for action.  The Attorney General may seek injunctive 
relief to enjoin activities not in compliance with the governing law or seek any other 
remedy authorized by law.
Sec. 16.  20-A MRSA §6801-A, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1985, c. 797, §39, is 
further amended to read:
5.  Complaint process.  A complaint that alleges person alleging that a school 
administrative unit or career and technical education region is not in compliance with the 
requirements of this Title or of rules adopted by the department shall be filed may file a 
complaint pursuant to the requirements for a petition under section 258‑A.
Sec. 17.  20-A MRSA §15005, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 1991, c. 
824, Pt. A, §37, is amended to read:
1.  Apportionments.  Apportionments The State shall pay apportionments to school 
administrative units, career and technical education regions and private schools, unless 
specifically directed by statute, must be made annually commencing in July in the 
following manner.  An The State shall pay an amount not to exceed 1/12 of the subsidy 
must be paid each month no later than the last day of the month.  Any The State shall pay 
any balance must be paid within 7 days after the end of the fiscal year.  If the State pays 
the balance of state subsidy for a fiscal year is paid after the end of the fiscal year, the a 
school administrative unit, career and technical education region or private school may 
record the final payment may be recorded as an account receivable due from the State in 
that fiscal year.
Sec. 18.  20-A MRSA §15671, first ¶, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §14, 
is further amended to read:
Essential programs and services are those educational resources that are identified in 
this chapter necessary to ensure the opportunity for all students to meet the standards in the 
content standard subject areas and goals of the system of learning results established in 
chapter 222.  In order to achieve this system of learning results, school funding based on 
essential programs and services must be available in all schools on an equitable basis.  
Essential programs and services utilize resources that are currently provided or could be 
adapted to implement a system of learning results, as well as additional resources, including 
federal funds, that are also needed to ensure that these programs and services are available 
to all students.  These essential programs and services must provide the basis for the system 
of school funding no later than 2007-08.  School funding must be adequate to fully provide 
for all of the staffing and other material resource needs of the essential programs and 
services identified by the Legislature.
Sec. 19.  20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2019, c. 398, §29, is 
further amended to read:
1.  State and local partnership.  The State and each local school administrative unit 
are jointly responsible for contributing to the cost of the components of essential programs 
and services described in this chapter.    The state contribution to the cost of the components 
of essential programs and services must be made in accordance with this subsection:
A.  The level of the state share of funding attributable to the cost of the components of 
essential programs and services must be at least 50% of eligible state and local General 
Fund education costs statewide, no later than fiscal year 2006-07; and
B.  By fiscal year 2008-09 Beginning in fiscal year 2021-22, and in each subsequent 
fiscal year, the state share of the total cost of funding public education from 
kindergarten to grade 12, as described by the components of essential programs and 
services, must be is 55%.  Beginning in fiscal year 2005-06 and in each fiscal year until 
fiscal year 2008-09, the state share of essential programs and services described costs 
must increase toward the 55% level required in fiscal year 2008-09.
Beginning in fiscal year 2005-06 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the commissioner shall 
use the funding level determined in accordance with this section as the basis for a 
recommended funding level for the state share of the cost of the components of essential 
programs and services.
Sec. 20.  20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 2015, c. 389, Pt. C, 
§2, is repealed.
Sec. 21.  20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §17, 
is further amended to read:
6.  Targeted funds.  Funds for technology, implementation of a standards-based 
system and the costs of additional investments in educating children in kindergarten to 
grade 2 as described in section 15681 must be provided as targeted allocations.  School 
administrative units shall submit a plan for the use of these funds and receive funding based 
on approval of the plan by the commissioner.  State funds for extended learning provided 
above the basic economically disadvantaged student adjustment in section 15675, 
subsection 2 must also be provided as targeted allocations and restricted to approved 
programs that benefit economically disadvantaged students.
Sec. 22.  20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§7, as amended by PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. C, §1, 
is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
7.  Targets.  To achieve the system of school funding based on essential programs and 
services required by this section, the base total calculated pursuant to section 15683 is 
100%, and the target for the state share percentage of the statewide adjusted total cost of 
the components of essential programs and services is 55%.
Sec. 23.  20-A MRSA §15671-A, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. 
C, §§2 and 3, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
B.  The commissioner shall calculate the full-value education mill rate that is required 
to raise the statewide total local share. The full-value education mill rate is calculated 
for each fiscal year by dividing the applicable statewide total local share by the 
applicable statewide valuation. The full-value education mill rate must be applied 
according to section 15688, subsection 3‑A, paragraph A to determine a municipality's 
local cost share expectation. The full-value education mill rate is the amount necessary 
to result in a 45% statewide total local share.
Sec. 24.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §36 
and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is repealed.
Sec. 25.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§1-C, as amended by PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. J, 
§1, is further amended to read:
1-C.  Bus purchase costs.  "Bus purchase costs" includes expenditures for bus 
purchase payments approved by the commissioner and made during the year prior to the 
allocation year.  For bus purchases approved in fiscal year 2004-05 only, 50% of first year 
approved payments must be allocated in fiscal year 2006-07 and 50% of first year approved 
payments must be allocated in fiscal year 2007-08.
Sec. 26.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§1-D, as amended by PL 2017, c. 171, §12, is 
repealed.
Sec. 27.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§2-A, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. 
VVVVV, §9, is further amended by repealing subparagraph (1).
Sec. 28.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§2-A, ¶B, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. 
VVVVV, §9, is further amended by amending subparagraph (2), division (a) to read:
(a)  A school administrative unit with state-approved need for instructional 
space may lease temporary or interim space, with state support, for a maximum 
of 5 years.  A school administrative unit may appeal to the commissioner if 
this limitation presents an undue burden.  When making a determination on a 
school administrative unit's request for relief based on undue burden, the 
commissioner may consider, but is not limited to considering, the following:
(i)  Fiscal capacity;
(ii)  Enrollment demographics; and
(iii)  Unforeseen circumstances not within the control of the appealing 
school administrative unit.; and
(iv)  Other relevant factors.
An extension granted by the commissioner beyond the 5-year maximum for 
state support is limited to a period of one year.  Any An additional request for 
extensions an extension must be submitted and reviewed on an annual basis.  
The commissioner's decision is final.
Sec. 29.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§9, as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §36 
and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is repealed.
Sec. 30.  20-A MRSA §15672, sub-§23, as amended by PL 2017, c. 381, §16, is 
repealed and the following enacted in its place:
23.  Property fiscal capacity.  "Property fiscal capacity" means the average of the 
certified state valuations for the 3 most recent years prior to the most recently certified state 
valuation or the certified state valuation for the most recent prior year, whichever is lower.
Sec. 31.  20-A MRSA §15680, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6, is 
repealed.
Sec. 32.  20-A MRSA §15680, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 504, Pt. A, §6, is 
amended to read:
3.  Fiscal year 2006-07 and beyond.  For fiscal year 2006-07 and for each subsequent 
year, the commissioner shall recalculate the per-pupil amounts for additional cost 
components under subsection 1 using the amounts approved by the state board under 
subsection 2 for the previous year as a base and including appropriate trends in the 
Consumer Price Index or other comparable index.
Sec. 33.  20-A MRSA §15680-A, as amended by PL 2019, c. 213, §§1 and 2, is 
further amended to read:
§15680-A.  System administration allocation
Beginning in fiscal year 2017-18, the commissioner shall determine The system 
administration allocation in accordance with this section is $135 per pupil based on the 
number of subsidizable students determined pursuant to section 15674.
3.  Fiscal year 2019-20.  For fiscal year 2019-20, the system administration allocation 
is $141 per pupil.  Of this amount, $47 must be allocated to the school administrative unit 
for system administration and $94 must be allocated as a targeted amount to school 
administrative units that have established regionalized administrative services pursuant to 
chapter 123.
4.  Beginning in fiscal year 2020-21.  Beginning in fiscal year 2020-21, the system 
administration allocation is $135 per pupil.
Sec. 34.  20-A MRSA §15681-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, 
§40, is repealed.
Sec. 35.  20-A MRSA §15683, first ¶, as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 and 
affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is further amended to read:
For each school administrative unit, that unit's total operating allocation is the base 
total set forth in subsection 1 as adjusted in accordance with subsection 2 and including the 
total amount of other subsidizable costs as described in section 15681‑A.
Sec. 36.  20-A MRSA §15683, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 
and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is repealed.
Sec. 37.  20-A MRSA §15689, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. C, §10, 
is repealed.
Sec. 38.  20-A MRSA §15689, sub-§13, as amended by PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, 
§52, is repealed.
Sec. 39.  20-A MRSA §15689-B, sub-§7-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. C, 
§14, is amended to read:
7-A.  Penalty for late submission of required data.  Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this Title, the commissioner may implement the following assess a subsidy 
penalty for a school administrative unit or career and technical education region that is not 
in compliance with subsection 7.  If a school administrative unit has not filed the required 
data pursuant to subsection 7 within 3 months of the due date, a penalty in an amount equal 
to 1% of that unit's or region's monthly subsidy check times the number of months past due 
is assessed.
Sec. 40.  20-A MRSA §15689-B, sub-§9 is enacted to read:
9.  Career and technical education region.  This section applies to a career and 
technical education region in the same manner as to a school administration unit.
Sec. 41.  20-A MRSA §15901, sub-§4-A, as amended by PL 2005, c. 683, Pt. B, 
§13, is repealed.
Sec. 42.  20-A MRSA §15904, first ¶, as amended by PL 2013, c. 167, Pt. B, §4, 
is further amended to read:
Prior to design and funding approval by the state board, a school construction project, 
except a small scale school construction project as defined in section 15901, subsection 
4‑A, must receive a favorable vote conducted in accordance with the following.
Sec. 43.  20-A MRSA §15905, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2019, c. 616, Pt. C, §§9 
and 10, is further amended to read:
1.  Approval authority.  The state board must approve each school construction 
project, unless it is a small scale school construction project as defined in section 15901, 
subsection 4‑A, a nonstate funded project as defined in section 15905‑A or a permanent 
space lease-purchase project.
A.  The state board may approve projects as long as no project approval will cause debt 
service costs, as defined in section 15672, subsection 2‑A, paragraph A and pursuant 
to Resolve 2007, chapter 223, section 4, to exceed the maximum limits specified in 
Table 1 and Table 2 in subsequent fiscal years.
Table 1
Major Capital
Integrated, Consolidated 
Secondary and Postsecondary 
Project
 Fiscal year
Maximum Debt Service Limit
Maximum Debt Service Limit
 1990
$ 48,000,000
 1991
$ 57,000,000
 1992
$ 65,000,000
 1993
$ 67,000,000
 1994
$ 67,000,000
 1995
$ 67,000,000
 1996
$ 67,000,000
 1997
$ 67,000,000
 1998
$ 67,000,000
 1999
$ 69,000,000
 2000
$ 72,000,000
 2001
$ 74,000,000
 2002
$ 74,000,000
 2003
$ 80,000,000
 2004
$ 80,000,000
 2005
$ 84,000,000
 2006
$ 90,000,000
 2007
$ 96,000,000
 2008
$100,000,000
 2009
$104,000,000
 2010
$108,000,000
 2011
$126,000,000
 2012
 $116,000,000
 2013
 $116,000,000
 2014
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2015
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2016
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2017
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2018
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2019
 $126,000,000
$10,000,000
 2020
 $126,000,000
$20,000,000
 2021
 $126,000,000
$20,000,000
 2022
 $126,000,000
$20,000,000
 2023
 $126,000,000
$20,000,000
Table 2
 Fiscal year
Maximum Debt Service Limit  
 2024
$150,000,000
 2025
$150,000,000
 2026
$150,000,000
 2027
$150,000,000
A-1.  Beginning with the second regular session of the Legislature in fiscal year 1990 
and every other year thereafter, on or before March 1st, the commissioner shall 
recommend to the Legislature and the Legislature shall establish maximum debt 
service limits for the next 2 biennia for which debt service limits have not been set for 
capital projects, including major projects and integrated, consolidated secondary and 
postsecondary projects.
B.  Nonstate funded projects, such as school construction projects or portions of 
projects financed by proceeds from insured losses, money from federal sources, other 
noneducational funds or local funds that are not eligible for inclusion in an 
administrative unit's state-local allocation, are outside the total cost limitations set by 
the Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill makes the following changes to the law governing primary and secondary 
education.
1. It changes the name of and references to restructuring schools to innovative schools.
2. It updates a reference to the early learning and development standards established 
by the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
3. It updates the name of the system used for teaching mathematical notation to students 
who are blind and the definition of Braille in regard to educating students who are blind.
4. It changes the general requirements for secondary school programs, including 
program length and required subjects.
5. It changes the requirements for obtaining a high school diploma.
6. It updates a reference to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.
7. It expands compliance and information requirements for career and technical 
education regions.
8. It removes an outdated deadline for calculating the basis for the system of school 
funding.
9. It sets the state contribution for essential programs and services in primary and 
secondary education and removes previous methods of calculating that contribution.
10. It sets the full-value education mill rate.
11. It removes outdated limits on allocations for bus purchase costs and system 
administration.
12. It removes outdated provisions regarding:
A. Administrative space leases;
B. Calculation of property fiscal capacity;
C. Per-pupil cost components; and 
D. School unit operating allocations.
13. It removes provisions governing state share increases for bus refurbishing costs.
14. It removes references to small scale school construction projects.