20-A §3608. Recommendations and preparation of articles of agreement

Title 20-A: EDUCATION

Part 2: SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

Chapter 121: MAINE-NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERSTATE SCHOOL COMPACT

Article 2: PROCEDURE FOR FORMATION OF AN INTERSTATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

§3608. Recommendations and preparation of articles of agreement

An interstate school district planning committee may recommend that an interstate school district composed of all the member districts represented by its membership, or any specified combination of such member districts, be established. If the planning committee does recommend the establishment of an interstate school district, it shall include in its report such recommendation, and shall prepare and include in its report proposed articles of agreement for the proposed interstate school district, which shall be signed by at least a majority of the membership of the planning committee, which set forth the following: [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Name. The name of the interstate school district.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

2. Districts. The member districts which shall be combined to form the proposed interstate school district.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

3. Board. The number, composition, method of selection and terms of office of the interstate school board, provided that:

A. The interstate school board shall consist of an odd number of members, not less than 5 nor more than 15; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

B. The terms of office shall not exceed 3 years; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

C. Each member district shall be entitled to elect at least one member of the interstate school board. Each member district shall either vote separately at the interstate school district meeting by the use of a distinctive ballot, or shall choose its member or members at any other election at which school officials may be chosen; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

D. The method of election shall provide for the filing of candidacies in advance of election and for the use of a printed nonpartisan ballot; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

E. Subject to the foregoing, provision may be made for the election of one or more members at large. [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Grades. The grades for which the interstate school district shall be responsible.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

5. Properties and schools. The specific properties of member districts to be acquired initially by the interstate school district and the general location of any proposed new schools to be initially established or constructed by the interstate school district.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

6. Operating expenses. The method of apportioning the operating expenses of the interstate school district among the several member districts, and the time and manner of payments of such shares.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

7. Debts. The indebtedness of any member district which the interstate district is to assume.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

8. Capital expenses. The method of apportioning the capital expenses of the interstate school district among the several member districts, which need not be the same as the method of apportioning operating expenses, and the time and manner of payment of such shares. Capital expenses shall include the cost of acquiring land and buildings for school purposes; the construction, furnishing and equipping of school buildings and facilities; and the payment of the principal and interest of any indebtedness which is incurred to pay for the same.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

9. State aid. The manner in which state aid, available under the laws of either Maine or New Hampshire, shall be allocated, unless otherwise expressly provided in this compact or by the laws making such aid available.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

10. Amendments. The method by which the articles of agreement may be amended, which amendments may include the annexation of territory, or an increase or decrease in the number of grades for which the interstate district shall be responsible, provided that no amendment shall be effective until approved by both state boards in the same manner as required for approval of the original articles of agreement.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

11. Operating responsibilities. The date of operating responsibility of the proposed interstate school district and a proposed program for the assumption of operating responsibility for education by the proposed interstate school district, and any school construction; which the interstate school district shall have the power to vary by vote as circumstances may require.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

12. Other matters. Any other matters, not incompatible with law, which the interstate school district planning committee may consider appropriate to include in the articles of agreement, including, without limitation:

A. The method of allocating the cost of transportation between the interstate district and member districts: [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

B. The nomination of individual school directors to serve until the first annual meeting of the interstate school district. [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW).