20-A §256. Miscellaneous duties - Maine Statutes

Title 20-A: EDUCATION

Part 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 3: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Subchapter 2: COMMISSIONER

§256. Miscellaneous duties

1. Report to Governor and Legislature. The commissioner shall prepare and deliver to the Governor and Legislature an annual report on the status of public education in the State regarding the implementation of the system of learning results as established in section 6209, including any suggestions and recommendations to improve public education . This annual report must also include a description of the activities and accomplishments of the state board.

The commissioner shall include in the annual report a listing of requests by school districts for affirmative action workshops and an assessment of the department's ability to meet past and projected demand for in-service training related to affirmative action or gender equity.

The commissioner may be invited by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate annually, in January, to appear before a joint session of the Legislature to address the Legislature on the status of public education in the State and such related matters as the commissioner desires to bring to the Legislature's attention.

[ 2009, c. 274, §7 (AMD) .]

2. Joining educational organizations. The commissioner may authorize the department to join educational organizations and associations, both within and outside the State, when that membership will increase the efficiency or progress of education within the State.

[ 1983, c. 806, §4 (AMD) .]

3. Limit on authority.

[ 1989, c. 700, Pt. B, §14 (RP) .]

4. Control of gift-established schools. The commissioner shall:

A. Assume the control and management of all public schools established and maintained by gifts or bequests, when the gifts or bequests are conditioned on the commissioner assuming that control and management; and [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

B. Carry out the provisions on which those gifts or bequests are conditioned, when those conditions are approved by the Governor. [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

[ 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW) .]

5. Duties imposed by charters. The commissioner shall perform all duties assigned by charter granted by the Legislature to an educational institution.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW) .]

6. Central information system. The department shall include in the department's annual budget funds necessary to initiate and maintain a central information system on resources for people with disabilities. The system should be community-based and developed with substantial participation by people with disabilities.

[ 1989, c. 518, Pt. A, §1 (NEW) .]

7. Women in administration; data; report. The commissioner shall compile data annually on the number of women holding administrative positions requiring certification and shall report the data annually, on or before January 1st, to the Maine Human Rights Commission and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over educational matters.

[ 1989, c. 889, §5 (NEW) .]

8. Gifts and donations.

[ 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF); 1995, c. 676, §4 (RP) .]

9. Collection of fees.

[ 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF); 1995, c. 676, §4 (RP) .]

10. Telecommunications education access fund. The commissioner or the State Librarian may enter into contracts or order services on behalf of schools and libraries in connection with the telecommunications education access fund pursuant to Title 35-A, section 7104-B. The commissioner or the State Librarian may take advantage of any discounts available pursuant to the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

[ 2009, c. 274, §8 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). 1983, c. 806, §§3,4 (AMD). 1983, c. 859, §§B3,B4 (AMD). 1983, c. 860, §1 (AMD). 1985, c. 505, §1 (AMD). 1985, c. 763, §A76 (AMD). 1987, c. 395, §A46 (AMD). 1989, c. 518, §A1 (AMD). 1989, c. 700, §B14 (AMD). 1989, c. 889, §§4,5 (AMD). 1991, c. 528, §I1 (AMD). 1991, c. 528, §RRR (AFF). 1991, c. 591, §I1 (AMD). 1995, c. 676, §13 (AFF). 1995, c. 676, §4 (AMD). 2001, c. 454, §5 (AMD). 2009, c. 274, §§7, 8 (AMD).