MN SF2901

Establishes a shared services grant program for groups of five or more school districts or charter schools that form joint powers agreements to collaboratively share administrative or business services for fiscal years 2011 to 2013.

Requires applicants to submit plans describing how service sharing will improve delivery, efficiency, and operations, including implementation timelines and review processes; commissioner grants preference to proposals demonstrating greatest cost savings and efficiency.

Requires grant recipients to share all savings generated to enhance educational quality and improve teaching and learning, with up to five percent of savings available for shared services consultants and encourages allocation toward job retraining for dislocated personnel.

Appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2011, with no more than 25 percent of funds granted to any single group and at least half awarded to grantees outside the seven-county metro area.

Requires commissioner to provide annual status updates to education finance committees by February 15 and submit a final report by January 15, 2014, on how the shared services agreements improved service delivery and operational efficiency.