Code of Maine Rules › 90 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES › 668 - STATE CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION › Chapter 1 - COMMISSION ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION › Section 668-1-1 - ORGANIZATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Commission
. The Maine
				Charter School Commission consists of seven (7) members who are appointed by
				the State Board of Education for 3-year terms. Three (3) members must be
				members of the State Board of Education; the other four (4) members must be
				nominated by the three (3) State Board members and approved by a majority vote
				of the State Board of Education. Members must satisfy the experience
				requirements, and the State Board must satisfy the appointment process, set
				forth in 20-A MRSA Section2405(8). Any employee, trustee, agent, or
				representative or the Commission may not simultaneously serve as an employee,
				trustee, agent, representative, vendor or contractor of a public charter school
				authorized by the Commission
Members may not serve more than three (3) consecutive terms,
				  but may serve again after not serving on the Commission for at least one term.
				  A Commission member who is a member of the State Board of Education serves on
				  the Commission only during that person's membership on the State Board of
				  Education; upon expiration of that person's State Board membership, the
				  position on the Commission becomes vacant and must be filled in the manner
				  provided for filling vacancies.
A vacancy on the Commission must be filled in the same manner
				  as the same position was filled, and must meet any applicable requirements of
				  the appointment process set forth in 20-A MRSA Section2405(8). A vacancy is
				  filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. If a member serves more than
				  one and one-half (1.5) of an unexpired term, that service counts as one term
				  for purposes of the term limitations described above. A member who vacates by
				  means of resignation must provide written notice to the Commission within
				  thirty (30) days of the effective date of the resignation.
A member of the Commission may be removed, by a majority vote
				  of the State Board of Education, for failure to perform the duties of office.
				  The Commission may recommend to the State Board of Education the removal of a
				  Commission member for failure to attend three (3) consecutive Commission
				  meetings either in person or by telephone or electronic means, unless the
				  absences are excused by the Commission. Attendance by telephone or by
				  electronic means counts as attendance only for purposes of this section. In
				  addition, public behavior by a Commission member that diminishes the integrity
				  of the Commission may warrant a recommendation of removal to the State Board of
				  Education. Recommendations of removal require a majority vote of the Commission
				  members.
2.
Officers.
The Commission shall elect a chair and such other officers as
				may be necessary to conduct its business. Officers must include a Chair and a
				Vice-Chair. The Commission may create additional officer positions by majority
				vote. Officers must be elected by a majority vote of the Commission members
				annually at the first meeting in July.
The Chair shall: preside over all Commission meetings;
				  prepare, in consultation with the members, the agenda for each meeting; sign
				  all Commission correspondence, reports and other communications; and shall be
				  generally responsible for coordinating and directing the work of the
				  Commission, in collaboration with the other Commission members, including the
				  oversight of an Executive Director of the Commission or the administration of
				  an agreement for the services of an Executive Director, should the Commission
				  secure such services.
The Vice-Chair, in the absence of the Chair, shall have all
				  the powers and duties of the Chair, and may assume other responsibilities at
				  the direction of the Chair. In addition, if no Secretary is elected, the
				  Vice-Chair shall ensure that proper notice of Commission meetings is provided,
				  and that meetings are accurately recorded and meeting minutes are made
				  available to the Commission for review, approval and public posting. The
				  Vice-Chair shall also serve as facilitator of Commission meetings.
Each officer's term is one (1) year. Officers may not serve
				  more than two (2) terms, but may serve again after not serving in that office
				  for at least one (1) term. Upon expiration of an officer's term, the position
				  becomes vacant and must be filled in the manner provided for election of
				  officers.
A vacancy in an officer's position must be filled in the same
				  manner as the same position was filled, and it is filled for the remainder of
				  the unexpired term. If an officer serves more than one half of an unexpired
				  term, that service counts as one (1) term for purposes of the term limitations
				  described above. An officer who vacates by means of resignation must provide
				  written notice to the Commission within thirty (30) days of the effective date
				  of the resignation.
3.
Commission Work Groups.
The Commission may establish work groups
				for the purpose of conducting the work of the Commission. All work performed by
				the work groups is subject to the review and approval of the Commission. A work
				product of a work group must be adopted by the Commission pursuant to a vote at
				a Commission meeting in order to be considered the work of the
				Commission.
4.
Representing
				the Commission.
The chairperson is authorized to represent and speak on
				behalf of the Commission. The Commission chair may also authorize other
				Commission members to represent and speak on behalf of the Commission. When a
				Commission member is authorized to speak on behalf of the Commission, the
				member must clearly state that the communication being provided is
				representative of the Commission.
5.
Office and Staff.
The
				Commission shall, in keeping with its authorizing responsibilities, engage
				experts, professional and administrative staff separate from the Department of
				Education.
The Executive Director supervises the staff and is
				  responsible for all day-to-day operations and to implement the goals and
				  objectives of the Commission. In the interim between Commission meetings, the
				  Executive Director reports to the Chair.
The Commission's office is located at the Burton Cross State
				  Office Building, 5th Floor, 111 Sewell Street,
				  Augusta, Maine, where any filing or written submission may be made by hand
				  delivery between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM on any day when State government
				  offices are open. The address for all correspondence by mail is 182 State House
				  Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0182. Filings by telephone facsimile to
				  207-287-2109 or by electronic mail to mcsc@maine.gov may be transmitted at any
				  time if otherwise permitted by statute, rule or application requirements.
All records of the Commission are maintained in these
				  offices, where they are available for inspection or copying, except as
				  particular records are made confidential by law. The cost of copying is set by
				  the Executive Director, subject to reasonable limitations and approval of the
				  Commission