Two or more school administrative units may enter into cooperative agreement to provide regional special education programs and support services. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
1. General criteria. Programs and services established through this agreement shall meet the requirements set forth in section 7204, subsection 4.
2. Special provisions. A program shall specify that:
A. One of the school administrative units shall serve as fiscal agent; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
B. No requirement exists for separate budget approval and taxation; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
C. School construction may not be proposed for special education purposes. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
3. Plan. A plan for a regional program shall be subject to approval by the commissioner prior to its implementation. The plan shall specify:
A. The objectives and functions to be performed by the regional program; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
B. The method of fiscal operation and cost sharing; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
C. The method of entering into and withdrawing from the agreement; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
D. The method of administering the regional program; [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
E. The method of involving parent and community participation; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
F. The school administrative unit that shall act as fiscal agent for the regional program. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
4. Funding. The regional program shall be supported by funds included in the special education appropriations of each of the member school administrative units.