1.1.................... moves to amend S.F. No. 946, the first engrossment, as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3    "Section 1. INNOVATIVE DELIVERY OF EDUCATION SERVICES AND
1.4SHARING OF DISTRICT RESOURCES; PILOT PROJECT.
1.5    Subdivision 1. Establishment; requirements for participation. (a) A four-year
1.6pilot project for the 2013-2014 through 2017-2018 school years is established to improve
1.7student and school outcomes by allowing groups of school districts to work together to
1.8provide innovative education programs and activities and share district resources.
1.9(b) To participate in this pilot project to improve student and school outcomes, a
1.10group of two or more school districts must consult with school staff and receive formal
1.11school board approval to form a partnership. The partnership must develop a plan to
1.12provide challenging programmatic options for students, create professional development
1.13opportunities for educators, increase student engagement and connection and challenging
1.14learning opportunities for students, or demonstrate efficiencies in delivering financial and
1.15other services. The plan must establish:
1.16(1) collaborative educational goals and objectives;
1.17(2) strategies and processes to implement those goals and objectives including a
1.18budget process with periodic expenditure reviews;
1.19(3) valid and reliable measures to evaluate progress in realizing the goals and
1.20objectives;
1.21(4) an implementation timeline; and
1.22(5) other applicable conditions, regulations, responsibilities, duties, provisions, fee
1.23schedules, and legal considerations needed to fully implement the plan.
1.24A partnership, with the education commissioner's approval, may invite additional
1.25districts to join the partnership during the pilot project term.
2.1(c) A partnership of interested districts must apply by February 1, 2013, to the
2.2education commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner determines, consistent
2.3with this section. The application must contain the formal approval adopted by the school
2.4board in each district to participate in the plan.
2.5(d) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, during the term of the pilot project
2.6participating districts may begin the school year before Labor Day, may adopt an extended
2.7school calendar, or may schedule staff development days throughout the calendar year.
2.8(e) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, a participating school district under
2.9this section continues to receive revenue and maintain its taxation authority and be
2.10organized and governed by an elected school board with general powers under Minnesota
2.11Statutes, section 123B.02.
2.12    Subd. 2. Commissioner's role. The education commissioner, using available
2.13education department staff and resources, must select between three and six qualified
2.14applicants under subdivision 1, on a first-come, first-served basis to participate in this pilot
2.15project. The commissioner must select only those applicants that fully comply with the
2.16requirements in subdivision 1. The commissioner must terminate a project participant that
2.17fails to effectively implement the goals and objectives contained in its application and
2.18according to its stated timeline.
2.19    Subd. 3. Pilot project evaluation. Participating school districts must submit pilot
2.20project data to the commissioner in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.
2.21The education commissioner must analyze participating districts' progress in realizing
2.22their educational goals and objectives to work together in providing innovative education
2.23programs and activities and sharing resources. The commissioner must include the
2.24analysis in a report to the K-12 education finance and policy reform committees on
2.25the efficacy of this pilot project. The commissioner may submit an interim project
2.26report at any time and must submit a final report to the legislature by February 1, 2018,
2.27recommending whether or not to continue or expand the pilot project.
2.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
2.29and applies to the 2013-2014 through 2017-2018 school years."
2.30Amend the title accordingly