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An Act To Provide Flexibility for Education Technology Programs in Maine Schools
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 Department of Education's Maine Learning Technology Initiative has for the past 3 years offered schools the opportunity to sign participation agreements under which one-to-one computer devices are provided for their students and staff; and
Whereas,  schools enter into participation agreements in early spring, in order to allow time for technology equipment to be ordered, delivered and set up at schools in time for the start of the new school year; and
Whereas,  school districts and their technology directors have told the Department of Education that with more flexibility, the schools could deliver more innovative technology solutions to enhance student outcomes; and
Whereas,  this legislation needs to take effect immediately for schools to plan and implement their technology programs in time for the start of the 2017-2018 school year; 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. 20-A MRSA §15689-A, sub-§12-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 354, §2, is further amended to read:
 
12-A. Learning through technology.   The commissioner may pay costs attributed to staff support consisting of one Education Team and Policy Director position, 2 Education Specialist III positions, one Planning and Research Associate I position, one Director of Special Projects position and 2 Education Specialist II positions, professional development and training in the use of open educational resources and open-source textbooks and, system maintenance and grants to schools for a program that promotes learning through technology. A transfer of All Other funds from the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account to the All Other line category in the Learning Through Technology General Fund nonlapsing account sufficient to support the All Other costs and the agreement that provides one-to-one wireless computers for 7th grade, 8th grade and high school students and educators may occur annually by financial order upon recommendation of the State Budget Officer and approval of the Governor.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill adds education technology grants to the list of eligible uses for the funds transferred from the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account to the Learning Through Technology General Fund account.