Section 1.  Change from independent to mayoral district.

Subd. 1. Definition. Defines "city" to mean a statutory or home rule charter city with more than 250,000 residents located in the seven-county metropolitan area.

Subd. 2. Mayoral governance option. Allows a mayor to govern a school district with administrative offices located in a city under this section if the mayor:

1.  submits a written notice of their intent to govern to the commissioner by September 1;
2.  within 90 days after submitting the notice, holds at least one public hearing in the district, seeking public comment and develops and publishes a plan for governing the district; and
3.  presents the plan at a public meeting.

Allows a mayor who meets these requirements to govern the school district for 10 consecutive school years.  Declares that the transition to mayoral governance does not affect existing collective bargaining agreements or reduce the terms of currently serving school board members. Requires a school board, subject to this act, to revert to the laws governing school board membership of independent school districts at the end of the 10 year period. 

Subd. 3. Mayoral governance requirements. Requires that the care, management, supervision, conduct, and control of the school district and the powers and rights of school boards are as provided in subdivision 4 through subdivision 6, if mayoral control is exercised.

Subd. 4.  Mayoral appointment of school board, district administrator; powers and duties. 

(a) Directs a mayor that governs a school district to appoint a diverse board of education whose members reside in the city. The number of appointed school board members equals the number of currently serving elected board members, plus one. Appointed members serve staggered two-year terms and without compensation or expense reimbursement, unless the mayor provides for expense reimbursement.

(b) Requires the mayor to appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) to manage the district and have all other powers and duties of the district superintendent.  The CEO is not required to hold a school superintendent license or other administrative license.  Limits the chief executive officer's contract to three years.  Permits termination of the CEO for cause as specified in the contract.

(c) Defines the powers and duties of the board of education as:

1. Increasing the quality of the school district's education services;
2. implementing policies, programs, and strategies to increase learning opportunities targeted to diverse student groups, increase student engagement and community and family partnerships.  Improving student outcomes so that students meet or exceed statewide reading and math proficiency averages or demonstrate medium or high growth; 
3. reducing the cost of non-instructional services and implementing cost saving measures;
4. developing a long-term financial plan;
5. streamlining and strengthening system management including a school-based budgeting process;
6. enacting policies and procedures to ensure an ethical and efficient system;
7. establishing or repurposing school site advisory council; and
8. establishing organizational structures to efficiently and effectively operate the school system.

Subd. 5. School site council. Requires each affected school site to establish an 11-member school site advisory council composed of the school principal, two teachers, six parents, and two community residents. Declares that council members serve two-year terms and are appointed by the board of education. Requires council members to reflect the diversity of the school site. Provides that the school site council is to assist the principal in identifying the educational needs of students and make recommendations for school site improvement plans.

Subd. 6. Home rule charter. Provides that this section supersedes any inconsistent or conflicting provision in a city's home rule charter or ordinances.

Subd. 7. Education advisory council. Requires a mayor to appoint an education advisory council composed of business leaders, parents of enrolled students, principals and teachers employed in district schools, and other interested parties.  Directs council members to convene periodically and provide advice to the mayor upon request. Council members are to serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses.

Effective Date.  Makes this section effective the day following enactment. 

Section 2. Governing entity like independent districts

Subd. 2. Mayoral governance option. Declares that the provisions of section 1 for implementing mayoral governance of the school district apply to the Minneapolis special school district. Declares that provisions governing the Minneapolis board of education do not apply during the 10-year term of the exercised option but will apply again after that time.

Effective Date. Makes this section effective immediately without local approval, consistent with the section 645.023, subdivision 1 (Special laws; Enactment without Local Approval).

Section 3. Potential conflicts. 

Directs the Attorney General, in response to any conflicts with existing laws, to collaborate with city attorneys and provide advice on implementation of this law and propose legislation to resolve conflicts if necessary.  

Effective date.  This section is effective the day following enactment.  

Section 4. Mayoral governance implementation report. 

Directs a mayor who exercises the mayoral governance option to submit recommendations for implementing this act to the legislature by February 15, 2013.

Effective date.  This section is effective the day following enactment. 

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