MN HF3685

Establishes a shared services grant program for fiscal years 2011-2013 for groups of five or more school districts or charter schools that have established pilot programs to collaboratively share administrative or business services.

Requires eligible groups to enter into a joint powers agreement under Minnesota Statutes section 471.59 and submit an application signed by every superintendent or charter school director in the group, along with a plan describing how shared services will improve delivery, efficiency, and economy of operations.

Directs the commissioner of education to evaluate applications, award grants preferentially to groups demonstrating greatest cost savings potential and those using consultants or regional cooperatives, and require review and evaluation processes in shared service plans.

Allocates $1,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2011, with no single group receiving more than 25 percent of appropriated funds and at least half of funding going to grantees located outside the seven-county metro area.

Requires annual status updates to legislative education committees by February 15 of each year and a final report by January 15, 2014, documenting how shared services agreements improved service delivery, efficiency, and economy of operations.