2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS › Chapter 3: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › Subchapter 2: COMMISSIONER › 20-A §256. Miscellaneous duties

§256. Miscellaneous duties
1.  Report to Governor and Legislature.
The commissioner shall prepare and deliver to the Governor and Legislature an annual report on the status of public education in the State regarding the implementation of the system of learning results as established in section 6209, including any suggestions and recommendations to improve public education. This annual report must also include a description of the activities and accomplishments of the state board.
The commissioner shall include in the annual report a listing of requests by school districts for affirmative action workshops and an assessment of the department's ability to meet past and projected demand for in-service training related to affirmative action or gender equity.
The commissioner may be invited by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate annually, in January, to appear before a joint session of the Legislature to address the Legislature on the status of public education in the State and such related matters as the commissioner desires to bring to the Legislature's attention.
[PL 2009, c. 274, §7 (AMD).]
2.  Joining educational organizations.
The commissioner may authorize the department to join educational organizations and associations, both within and outside the State, when that membership will increase the efficiency or progress of education within the State.
[PL 1983, c. 806, §4 (AMD).]
3.  Limit on authority.
[PL 1989, c. 700, Pt. B, §14 (RP).]
4.  Control of gift-established schools.
The commissioner shall:
A. Assume the control and management of all public schools established and maintained by gifts or bequests, when the gifts or bequests are conditioned on the commissioner assuming that control and management; and   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
B. Carry out the provisions on which those gifts or bequests are conditioned, when those conditions are approved by the Governor.   [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
5.  Duties imposed by charters.
The commissioner shall perform all duties assigned by charter granted by the Legislature to an educational institution.
[PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
6.  Central information system.
[PL 2019, c. 398, §6 (RP).]
7.  Women in administration; data; report.
[PL 2013, c. 506, §5 (RP).]
8.  Gifts and donations.
[PL 1995, c. 676, §4 (RP); PL 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF).]
9.  Collection of fees.
[PL 1995, c. 676, §4 (RP); PL 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF).]
10.  Telecommunications education access fund.
The commissioner or the State Librarian may enter into contracts or order services on behalf of schools and libraries in connection with the telecommunications education access fund pursuant to Title 35-A, section 7104-B. The commissioner or the State Librarian may take advantage of any discounts available pursuant to the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.
[PL 2009, c. 274, §8 (NEW).]
11.  Resources for people with disabilities.
The department shall develop and maintain a comprehensive database of resources for people with disabilities on the department's publicly accessible website.
[PL 2019, c. 398, §7 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 806, §§3,4 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 859, §§B3,B4 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 860, §1 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 505, §1 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 763, §A76 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 395, §A46 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 518, §A1 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 700, §B14 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 889, §§4,5 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 528, §I1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 528, §RRR (AFF). PL 1991, c. 591, §I1 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 676, §4 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 454, §5 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 274, §§7, 8 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 506, §5 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 398, §§6, 7 (AMD).