2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION › Part 2: SCHOOL ORGANIZATION › Chapter 103-A: REGIONAL SCHOOL UNITS › Subchapter 2: FORMATION OF REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT › 20-A §1461-A. Transitional powers and duties of initial regional school unit board

§1461-A. Transitional powers and duties of initial regional school unit board
As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, "regional school unit board" means the initial regional school unit board elected pursuant to section 1472‑A. From the time of election of the regional school unit board to July 1st of the regional school unit's first operational year, the regional school unit board shall establish interim rules of procedures and shall elect officers who shall serve until officers are elected at a meeting following the operational date of the regional school unit. The regional school unit board's powers and duties during this period are governed by this section.   [PL 2007, c. 668, §5 (NEW).]
1.  Selection of superintendent.
The regional school unit board shall select a superintendent for the regional school unit in accordance with section 1051 to carry out the duties specified in section 1055. During the interim period, the salary, office and other expenses of the superintendent, as well as the costs of the regional school unit board, including insurance, must be allocated to the school administrative units by the cost-sharing formula established in accordance with section 1481‑A and included in the reorganization plan for the regional school unit.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §5 (NEW).]
2.  Budget preparation and approval.
The regional school unit board shall prepare the annual budget for the first operational year of the regional school unit in time for its presentation to and consideration by the regional school unit board in accordance with subchapter 4. Specific duties may be assigned to existing personnel with the approval of the employing school administrative unit. The regional school unit board shall complete the budget development process and recommend a budget for consideration by the legislative body responsible for final budget approval and the residents of the regional school unit. The budget format, approval procedures and assessments for the regional school unit's first operational year budget must be in accordance with this chapter.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §5 (NEW).]
3.  Authorization.
The regional school unit board is authorized to take all other actions provided under state law to prepare the regional school unit to become operational on July 1st for the first operational year, including the authority to open and maintain accounts, to incur expenses to be allocated among the regional school unit's member school administrative units in accordance with the reorganization plan for the regional school unit and to file applications for school construction projects and revolving renovation fund loans and other available funding.
Prior to the operational date of the regional school unit, the regional school unit board shall take measures necessary to prepare to meet its obligations as a public employer on and after the operational date pursuant to Title 26, chapter 9‑A, including but not limited to negotiating a successor collective bargaining agreement that will take effect on or after the operational date. Until the operational date of the regional school unit, each participating school administrative unit retains all other authority, duties and obligations of the public employer of the employees of the school administrative unit pursuant to Title 26, chapter 9‑A.
[PL 2009, c. 107, §2 (AMD).]
4.  Fiscal agent.
The regional school unit board is authorized to expend start-up funds for the regional school unit. A school administrative unit within the regional school unit may serve as a fiscal agent and may expend any start-up funds on behalf of the new regional school unit prior to the regional school unit's operational date without calling for a special meeting of the local legislative body.
[PL 2007, c. 668, §5 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2007, c. 668, §5 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 107, §2 (AMD).