124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1801 LR 2605(03)
An Act To Promote the Establishment of Innovative Schools
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium revenue increase - Federal Expenditures Fund
2009-10 2010-11 Projections 2011-12 Projections 2012-13
Appropriations/Allocations
Federal Expenditures Fund $0 $500 $500 $500
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill establishes a process which authorizes the creation of charter schools in the State.  The requirement that all except up to 2% of the per-pupil allocation associated with subsidizable, other subsidizable and special education costs follow each child to the charter school the child attends may result in a significant redistribution of state and local per-pupil allocation.  The impact to individual school units can not be determined at this time.  The additional cost to the Department of Education associated with implementing this legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
This bill allows for teachers in a non-charter school who are members of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and take a leave of absence to teach in a charter school to continue to participate in the retirement system while on leave.  Although this legislation is not clear as to who will be responsible for the cost, the employee and employer contribution rate for those teachers must continue to be paid.
This bill includes a Federal Expenditures Fund allocation of $500 in fiscal year 2010-11 to the Department of Education to establish a base allocation for any federal grants that may be received by the Department for the Charter School Program.  The amount of grants that may be received by the State can not be determined at this time.  
Because the legislation permits but does not require local school administrative units to establish and operate innovative schools that meet all applicable requirements, this fiscal note assumes that school administrative units would do so within existing budgeted resources.
Additional costs to the Maine State Retirement System associated with conducting the required review of retirement plans for participating local districts can be absorbed within the system's operating budget.  Additional costs to the Maine Labor Relations Board and Maine Revenue Services associated with this legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.