Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 3: FINANCING
20-A §1704. Sharing costs

§1704. Sharing costs
The following provisions apply to sharing district costs. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
1. Formula. A community school district shall share its costs among the member municipalities on the basis of:
A. The number of resident pupils in each municipality; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
B. The fiscal capacity of each member municipality as defined in section 15672, subsection 23; [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §15 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
C. Any combination of paragraphs A and B; [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (AMD).]
D. Any other formula authorized by the Legislature; or [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (AMD).]
E. Any other factor or combination of factors that may, but need not, include paragraphs A and B. [PL 2001, c. 375, §4 (NEW).]
Notwithstanding paragraphs A to D, Title 30‑A, chapter 208‑A or any other provision of law, the state valuation used to calculate the shared cost for each municipality in a community school district with a municipal incentive development zone must include the increase in equalized just value of all industrial and commercial property located in the zone over the assessed value.
[PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §15 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
2. Amendment of formula. The procedure for amending the cost-sharing formula is as follows.
A. When requested by a written petition of at least 10% of the number of voters voting for the gubernatorial candidates in the last gubernatorial election in the municipalities comprising the community school district, the district school committee shall give at least 15 days' notice to each member municipality of a meeting or meetings to determine the necessity of reconsidering the method of sharing costs. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]
B. Each member municipality must be represented by 2 representatives chosen by its municipal officers and one member of the district school committee chosen by the committee members from that municipality at the meeting or meetings to determine the necessity of reconsidering the method of sharing costs. A change in the method of sharing costs must be approved by a vote of a majority of those present and voting. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]
B-1. Prior to the first meeting of member municipalities pursuant to paragraph A, the district shall engage the services of a facilitator selected from the list maintained by the commissioner under subsection 3, paragraph C. The facilitator shall:
(1) At the first meeting, review and present data and information pertaining to sharing of costs within the district. Pertinent information may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) A description of the district's cost-sharing method, the elements involved in the calculation of each municipality's costs and a graphic depiction of the current and historic distribution of costs in the district; and
(b) If withdrawal of one or more district members is under consideration, the financial and educational impact of the withdrawal;
(2) Solicit and prepare a balanced summary of the concerns of municipal officials, educators and the public about the current method of cost sharing; and
(3) Develop a plan of action for consideration by the municipal representatives that responds to the information collected and the concerns raised. The plan of action must include a list of expectations for the conduct of the parties, options for proceeding and an assessment of the likely success of those options. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).]
B-2. If a majority of the representatives from each municipality meeting pursuant to paragraph A are unable to agree on a recommendation on what the cost-sharing method for the district should be, within 15 days following the last meeting a knowledgeable 3rd party must be selected in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph C. The district is responsible for compensating the 3rd party. The 3rd party shall:
(1) Prepare a written summary of the process to date, including an assessment of the fairness, accuracy and responsiveness of the recommendations of the facilitator engaged pursuant to paragraph B‑1;
(2) Prepare an impartial recommendation regarding changing the method of cost sharing; and
(3) Present the summary and recommendations to the municipal representatives for their consideration. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).]
B-3. At an advertised public hearing, the municipal representatives shall solicit public input on the 3rd party's recommendation for cost sharing required under paragraph B‑2 and any alternative method or methods proposed by municipal representatives. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (NEW).]
C. Municipal approval must be in the same manner as the original formula was adopted when the community school district was formed, except that, if the proposed change is an alternative cost-sharing plan under subsection 1, paragraph E, the change must be approved by a majority of voters voting in a referendum in each municipality. The total vote cast in each of the member municipalities must be at least 20% of the number of votes cast in each of the member municipalities in the last gubernatorial election. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]
D. A change in the cost-sharing formula is effective at the start of the next fiscal year which starts at least 90 days after the voters have approved it. [PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]
[PL 2001, c. 375, §5 (AMD).]
3. Departmental assistance. The department shall provide the following services relating to changing district cost-sharing methods:
A. The provision of information and data relating to cost sharing, including, but not limited to, a description of a district's method of cost sharing, the total assessment, the per pupil cost and mils raised for education for district members and the calculation of member costs. The information must be district-specific, comprehensive, easily understood by the general public, presented in graphic and spreadsheet format and available over the Internet. Written copies of the information described and additional information requested must be provided by the department upon receipt of a written request from a district school board or the legislative body of any municipality member of a district; [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).]
B. The provision of professional evaluation and assistance to districts and member municipalities considering changes in cost-sharing methods; and [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).]
C. The establishment and maintenance of lists of qualified, available individuals to assist districts considering changes in cost-sharing methods as follows:
(1) Facilitators as required in subsection 2, paragraph B‑1; and
(2) Knowledgeable 3rd parties as required in subsection 2, paragraph B‑2.
In establishing the lists, the department shall seek input from the Maine Municipal Association and Maine School Management Association or successor organizations. The department may adopt rules to define the qualifications, responsibilities and selection of individuals on the lists. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A. [PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 2001, c. 375, §6 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 802, §2 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 410, §F4 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 696, §2 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 375, §§4-6 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 2, §D15 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 2, §§D72,74 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 12, §WW18 (AFF).