2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 3: ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Chapter 201: GENERAL PROVISIONS › 20-A §4001. Facilities

§4001. Facilities
The following provisions shall apply to school facilities.   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
1.  Maintenance and repairs.
A school administrative unit shall repair, improve and maintain its facilities with funds from its own budget.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
2.  Erect buildings.
A school administrative unit may raise money to erect and equip school buildings.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
3.  Lease.
A school administrative unit may lease facilities and other property.
A. The term of a lease must be at least equal to the period during which similar property of the unit is used. A lease may not exceed a term of 10 years.   [PL 1999, c. 81, §2 (AMD).]
B. A lease of classroom space shall provide for its exclusive use by the unit during the period of instruction. A lease may provide for the nonexclusive use of other property, but that property may be used for housing only in emergencies.   [PL 1983, c. 485, §20 (AMD).]
C. Leased property shall be considered property of the unit in all respects.   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
D. A lease may not be eligible for the state school subsidy unless it is approved by the commissioner before it is signed.   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
[PL 1999, c. 81, §2 (AMD).]
3-A.  Long-term leases authorized.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3, paragraph A, the school committee of the Town of Blue Hill is authorized to lease for school purposes, for one or more terms of up to 99 years each, the existing site of the Blue Hill Consolidated School and up to 20 acres of adjacent land and any buildings located thereon, on terms and conditions as may be approved by the Blue Hill School Committee, and during the term or terms of any leases which may be entered into by the Blue Hill School Committee, the leased premises shall constitute school property for all purposes including, without limitation, school construction projects, provided that any school construction projects on the leased premises shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 609 and its successor provisions.
[PL 1989, c. 474 (NEW).]
4.  Financing.
School administrative units may, with approval of the legislative body, arrange financing for maintenance of plant and minor remodeling.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
5.  Capital reserve fund.
School administrative units may establish a capital reserve fund for maintenance of plant and minor remodeling.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
6.  Insurance.
School administrative units shall carry fire insurance and allied coverage in the amount of the replacement cost of any school construction project. The commissioner may adjust the amount of coverage required if insurance cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
7.  Maintenance and capital improvement program.
A school administrative unit, including the unorganized territories, shall establish and maintain a maintenance and capital improvement program for all school facilities.
[PL 2013, c. 506, §7 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 485, §20 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 474 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 787, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 81, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 506, §7 (AMD).