1.1                          A bill for an act
  1.2             relating to education; establishing a Minnesota 
  1.3             science and mathematics foundation; appropriating 
  1.4             money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
  1.5             Statutes, chapter 121. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [121.613] [MINNESOTA SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS 
  1.8   FOUNDATION.] 
  1.9      Subdivision 1.  [FOUNDATION CREATED.] A nonprofit Minnesota 
  1.10  science and mathematics foundation is created to increase the 
  1.11  participation and achievement of all Minnesota elementary and 
  1.12  secondary students in mathematics and science education.  The 
  1.13  foundation's statewide objectives include aiding in implementing 
  1.14  science and mathematics standards and coordinating public and 
  1.15  private sector efforts to improve science and mathematics 
  1.16  teaching and learning. 
  1.17     Subd. 2.  [BOARD OF DIRECTORS.] The commissioner shall 
  1.18  appoint the initial board of directors of the foundation, which 
  1.19  shall include representatives from public and nonpublic 
  1.20  elementary and secondary schools, and post-secondary 
  1.21  institutions that work in the areas of science and mathematics, 
  1.22  business and industry, state government, and related science and 
  1.23  mathematics institutions of applied research and instruction. 
  1.24  Once established, the members of the initial board shall 
  1.25  determine the permanent number of board members, the length of 
  2.1   board member terms, the process for replacing board members, and 
  2.2   other conditions of board membership.  A simple majority of 
  2.3   board members may periodically change membership requirements as 
  2.4   needed.  
  2.5      Subd. 3.  [FOUNDATION PROGRAMS.] The foundation may develop 
  2.6   programs or sponsor activities to increase students' 
  2.7   participation and achievement in elementary and secondary 
  2.8   science and mathematics education.  Programs and activities may 
  2.9   include, but are not limited to:  (1) advancing educational 
  2.10  policies and practices that promote mathematical and scientific 
  2.11  literacy for all Minnesota students; (2) strengthening the 
  2.12  preparation of new teachers of science and mathematics and 
  2.13  expanding the knowledge and skills of practicing science and 
  2.14  mathematics teachers; (3) increasing public knowledge of and 
  2.15  support for high standards and the importance of quality science 
  2.16  and mathematics education for all Minnesota students; and (4) 
  2.17  coordinating communication between various providers of focused 
  2.18  science and mathematics instruction. 
  2.19     Subd. 4.  [POWERS AND DUTIES.] The foundation may:  
  2.20     (1) receive money, grants, and in-kind goods or services 
  2.21  from nonstate sources for the purposes of the foundation, 
  2.22  without complying with section 7.09, subdivision 1; 
  2.23     (2) enter into contracts subject to chapter 16B; 
  2.24     (3) establish, affiliate, or enter into agreements with a 
  2.25  separate nonprofit corporation under Minnesota and federal law 
  2.26  to discharge foundation duties and responsibilities as described 
  2.27  in this section, subject to the provisions of chapter 317A; and 
  2.28     (4) determine procedures and expenditures for making grants 
  2.29  to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to 
  2.30  further the foundation's purpose.  
  2.31     Subd. 5.  [FOUNDATION STAFF.] The foundation board of 
  2.32  directors shall appoint the executive director of the foundation 
  2.33  to serve in the unclassified service.  The executive director 
  2.34  shall perform duties and have responsibilities prescribed by the 
  2.35  foundation board.  The foundation board shall employ staff, 
  2.36  retain consultants, and execute agreements with other parties 
  3.1   necessary to carry out foundation purposes.  The employees shall 
  3.2   serve in the unclassified service and be supervised by the 
  3.3   executive director. 
  3.4      Subd. 6.  [PRIVATE FUNDING.] The foundation may seek 
  3.5   private, local, or federal public resources to supplement the 
  3.6   available state money.  The board of directors shall administer 
  3.7   all money the board receives.  
  3.8      Subd. 7.  [APPROPRIATION.] There is annually appropriated 
  3.9   to the foundation all amounts received by the foundation under 
  3.10  this section.  Any money appropriated to the department of 
  3.11  children, families, and learning for the purposes of the 
  3.12  foundation is transferred to the foundation during the biennium 
  3.13  for which the money was appropriated.  Any balance in the first 
  3.14  year does not cancel but is available in the second year.  The 
  3.15  department of children, families, and learning shall act as the 
  3.16  fiscal agent for the foundation.  
  3.17     Sec. 2.  [121.614] [MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE GRANTS FOR 
  3.18  INSTRUCTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.] 
  3.19     Subdivision 1.  [ELIGIBILITY.] Funds for scholarships may 
  3.20  be made available to a school designed and established for 
  3.21  advanced instruction in mathematics, science, and technology, if 
  3.22  it meets the following conditions:  (1) is operated by a 
  3.23  nonprofit, nonsectarian corporation formed under chapter 317A; 
  3.24  (2) the operating corporation offers a residential program; (3) 
  3.25  each year, to the extent applications allow, residential 
  3.26  students from the state are selected equally from each 
  3.27  congressional district; (4) the school is financially 
  3.28  responsible for all educational programs required of students; 
  3.29  (5) required educational programs not directly provided by the 
  3.30  school are provided through contract with other educational 
  3.31  agencies without additional charge to students; and (6) any 
  3.32  additional fees for residential or other purposes charged to 
  3.33  scholarship recipients do not exceed the amount charged under 
  3.34  section 129C.10, subdivision 3, paragraphs (n) and (o).  
  3.35     Subd. 2.  [SCHOLARSHIPS.] Scholarships for students 
  3.36  attending the school are available up to an amount equal to the 
  4.1   sum of the costs of instruction and residential programs per 
  4.2   pupil attending the program under chapter 129C, less the revenue 
  4.3   received for the student under subdivision 3.  The amount of the 
  4.4   scholarship may differ based on the residential status of the 
  4.5   student.  The amount determined under chapter 129C shall be 
  4.6   computed by the board established under chapter 129C.  
  4.7      Subd. 3.  [GENERAL EDUCATION.] The school shall receive 
  4.8   revenue for all students enrolled at the school in the same way 
  4.9   as revenue is paid under section 124.248, subdivisions 1 and 2. 
  4.10  The payment schedule shall be the same as under section 124.248, 
  4.11  subdivision 4, paragraph (a). 
  4.12     Sec. 3.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
  4.13     $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the 
  4.14  commissioner of children, families, and learning for the 
  4.15  purposes of sections 1 and 2.