H-718    House amendment "F"

Sponsored By: Representative CARTER of Bethel

Summary

This amendment allows a state-approved unit of school administration that was responsible for operating public schools prior to the reorganization of school administrative units pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 103-A to serve fewer than 1,200 students if the area it serves has fewer than 50 residents per square mile. In addition to the exceptions provided by law to the requirement that a school unit serve at least 1,200 students, the amendment provides that the Commissioner of Education, in the commissioner's discretion, may waive the 1,200-student requirement.

Fiscal Note

Potential future biennium cost increase - General Fund

Fiscal Detail and Notes                                                           

            Allowing certain school administrative units to serve fewer than 1,200 students if the area it serves has fewer than 50 residents per square mile may increase the total cost of K-12 public education in future biennia due to less savings being achieved versus what was anticipated in Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX.  The amount can not be determined at this time.