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An Act To Form a Western Maine Regional School Unit
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 103-A requires the reorganization of school administrative units into regional state-approved units of administration; and
Whereas,  the reorganization authorized in this legislation needs to be accomplished as soon as possible; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Exemption from school regionalization requirements. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 103-A and Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668 and Public Law 2009, chapter 213, School Administrative District 58, Coplin Plantation, Highland Plantation and those unorganized territories with students who attend School Administrative District 58 on the effective date of this Act may form a regional school unit, and the Commissioner of Education may approve the formation of such a regional school unit.
In administering the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 103-A and for the purposes of implementing Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36 as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668 and Public Law 2009, chapter 213, the Commissioner of Education shall consider School Administrative District 58, Coplin Plantation, Highland Plantation and those unorganized territories with students who attend School Administrative District 58 on the effective date of this Act to be geographically isolated and provide exemptions from and accommodations to Title 20-A, chapter 103-A similar to those provided coastal islands.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows School Administrative District 58, Coplin Plantation, Highland Plantation and those unorganized territories with students who attend School Administrative District 58 to form a regional school unit. It authorizes the Commissioner of Education to approve the formation of such a regional school unit.