Bill Text: CT SB01025 | 2011 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Recommendations By The Legislative Commissioners For Technical Revisions To The Education Statutes.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-06-03 - Signed by the Governor [SB01025 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2011-SB01025-Chaptered.html
Substitute Senate Bill No. 1025
AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 3-20f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Notwithstanding section 3-20, to the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds approved by the General Assembly pursuant to any bond act for the purposes of agricultural land preservation programs established pursuant to section 22-26cc or 22-26jj, but not allocated by the State Bond Commission, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of at least five million dollars of such bonds for the purposes described in said sections at each of said commission's regularly scheduled meetings occurring in August and February of each year. If no meeting is held in said months, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of such bonds at its next regularly scheduled meeting. To the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly and there are pending agricultural land preservation transactions in excess of five million dollars, the Commissioner of Agriculture may request, and the State Bond Commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of, bonds in excess of five million dollars. To the extent the balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly is below five million dollars at the time of said commission's August or February [meetings] meeting, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of the remaining balance of such bonds.
(b) Notwithstanding section 3-20, to the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds approved by the General Assembly pursuant to any bond act for the purposes of general maintenance and trade and capital equipment for any school in the regional vocational-technical school system, but not allocated by the State Bond Commission, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of at least two million dollars of such bonds for such maintenance and equipment at each of said commission's regularly scheduled meetings occurring in August and February of each year. If no meeting is held in said months, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of such bonds at its next regularly scheduled meeting. To the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly and there are pending general maintenance and trade and capital equipment transactions in excess of two million dollars, the superintendent of the regional vocational-technical school system may request, and the State Bond Commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of, bonds in excess of two million dollars. To the extent the balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly is below two million dollars at the time of said commission's August or February [meetings] meeting, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of the remaining balance of such bonds.
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-4t of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) On or before July 1, 2011, and biennially thereafter, the Department of Education shall report, within available appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education on (1) the number of [such] school governance councils that have initiated reconstitution pursuant to subsection (g) of section 10-223, (2) a comparison of those school governance councils that have initiated such reconstitution and those that have not, and (3) whether parental involvement has increased at those schools with school governance councils.
Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 10-66bb of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(d) Applications pursuant to this section shall include a description of: (1) The mission, purpose and any specialized focus of the proposed charter school; (2) the interest in the community for the establishment of the charter school; (3) the school governance and procedures for the establishment of a governing council that (A) includes (i) teachers and parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school, and (ii) the chairperson of the local or regional board of education of the town in which the charter school is located and which has jurisdiction over a school that resembles the approximate grade configuration of the charter school, or the designee of such chairperson, provided such designee is a member of the board of education or the superintendent of schools for the school district, and (B) is responsible for the oversight of charter school operations, provided no member or employee of the governing council may have a personal or financial interest in the assets, real or personal, of the school; (4) the financial plan for operation of the school, provided no application fees or other fees for attendance, except as provided in this section, may be charged; (5) the educational program, instructional methodology and services to be offered to students; (6) the number and qualifications of teachers and administrators to be employed in the school; (7) the organization of the school in terms of the ages or grades to be taught and the total estimated enrollment of the school; (8) the student admission criteria and procedures to (A) ensure effective public information, (B) ensure open access on a space available basis, (C) promote a diverse student body, and (D) ensure that the school complies with the provisions of section 10-15c and that it does not discriminate on the basis of disability, athletic performance or proficiency in the English language, provided the school may limit enrollment to a particular grade level or specialized educational focus and, if there is not space available for all students seeking enrollment, the school may give preference to siblings but shall otherwise determine enrollment by a lottery; (9) a means to assess student performance that includes participation in state-wide mastery examinations pursuant to chapter 163c; (10) procedures for teacher evaluation and professional development for teachers and administrators; (11) the provision of school facilities, pupil transportation and student health and welfare services; (12) procedures to encourage involvement by parents and guardians of enrolled students in student learning, school activities and school decision-making; (13) procedures to document efforts to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of staff; and (14) a five-year plan to sustain the maintenance and operation of the school. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 10-66dd, as amended by this act, an application may include, or a charter school may file, requests to waive provisions of the general statutes and regulations not required by sections 10-66aa to 10-66ff, inclusive, and which are within the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education.
Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 10-66dd of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) (1) Subject to the provisions of this subsection and except as may be waived pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-66bb, as amended by this act, charter schools shall be subject to all federal and state laws governing public schools.
(2) At least one-half of the persons providing instruction or pupil services in a charter school shall possess the proper certificate other than (A) a certificate issued pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 10-145b, or (B) a temporary certificate issued pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-145f on the day the school begins operation and the remaining persons shall possess a certificate issued pursuant to said subdivision (1) or such temporary certificate on such day.
(3) The commissioner may not waive the provisions of chapters 163c and 169 and sections 10-15c, 10-153a to 10-153g, inclusive, 10-153i, 10-153j, 10-153m and 10-292.
(4) The state charter school governing council shall act as a board of education for purposes of collective bargaining. The school professionals employed by a local charter school shall be members of the appropriate bargaining unit for the local or regional school district in which the local charter school is located and shall be subject to the same collective bargaining agreement as the school professionals employed by [said] such district. A majority of those employed or to be employed in the local charter school and a majority of the members of the governing council of the local charter school may modify, in writing, such collective bargaining agreement, consistent with the terms and conditions of the approved charter, for purposes of employment in the charter school.
Sec. 5. Subsection (d) of section 10-66dd of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(d) (1) An otherwise qualified school professional hired by a charter school prior to July 1, 2010, and employed in a charter school may participate in the state [teacher] teachers' retirement system under chapter 167a on the same basis as if such professional were employed by a local or regional board of education. The governing council of a charter school shall make the contributions, as defined in subdivision (7) of section 10-183b, for such professional.
(2) An otherwise qualified school professional hired by a charter school on or after July 1, 2010, and who has not previously been employed by a charter school in this state prior to July 1, 2010, shall participate in the state [teacher] teachers' retirement system under chapter 167a on the same basis as if such professional were employed by a local or regional board of education. The governing council of a charter school shall make the contributions, as defined in subdivision (7) of section 10-183b, for such professional.
Sec. 6. Subsection (b) of section 10-74h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) (1) An innovation school established under this section shall operate according to an innovation plan. Such plan shall articulate the areas of autonomy and flexibility in curriculum, budget, school schedule and calendar, school district policies and procedures, professional development, and staffing policies and procedures, including waivers from or modifications to contracts or collective bargaining agreements. Such innovation plan shall be developed by the faculty and district leadership or an external partner by means of an innovation plan committee. Membership of the innovation plan committee developed by (A) faculty and district leadership shall consist of at least nine members, but not more than eleven members, (i) five of whom shall be selected by the local or regional board of education and shall include (I) the superintendent of schools for the school district, or his or her designee; (II) a member of the local or regional board of education, or his or her designee; (III) two parents who have one or more children enrolled in the school, or, in the case of a new school, parents from the district; and (IV) the principal of the school, or, in the case of a new school and where a principal has not yet been hired, a principal from the school district in which the new school is located, (ii) two of whom shall be certified teachers of the school appointed by the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers' unit chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, or, in the case of a new school and where no certified teachers have yet been hired, two certified teachers appointed by the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers' unit chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, and (iii) not more than four of whom the local or regional board of education deems appropriate; (B) an external partner shall consist of at least nine members, but not more than eleven members, (i) seven of whom shall be selected by the local or regional board of education and shall include (I) the superintendent of schools for the school district, or his or her designee; (II) a member of the local or regional board of education, or his or her designee; (III) two parents who have one or more children enrolled in the school, or, in the case of a new school, parents from the district; (IV) the principal of the school, or, in the case of a new school and where a principal has not yet been hired, a principal from the school district in which the new school is located; and (V) two of whom shall represent the external partner, (ii) two of whom shall be certified teachers of the school appointed by the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers' unit chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, or, in the case of a new school and where no certified teachers have yet been hired, two certified teachers appointed by the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers' unit chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, and (iii) not more than two of whom the local or regional board of education deems appropriate. A majority vote of the innovation plan committee shall be required for approval and implementation of the innovation plan.
(2) The innovation plan shall include, but not be limited to: (A) A curriculum plan that includes a detailed description of the curriculum and related programs for the proposed school and how the curriculum is expected to improve school performance and student achievement; (B) a budget plan [,] that includes a detailed description of how funds shall be used in the proposed school to support school performance and student achievement that is or may be different than how funds are used in other public schools in the district; (C) a school schedule plan that includes a detailed description of the ways the program or calendar of the proposed school may be enhanced or expanded; (D) a staffing plan, including any proposed waivers or modifications of collective bargaining agreements, subject to agreement with the exclusive bargaining representative for the certified employees employed at the school, chosen pursuant to section 10-153b and in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section; (E) a policies and procedures plan that includes a detailed description of the unique operational policies and procedures to be used by the proposed school and how the procedures will support school performance and student achievement; and (F) a professional development plan that includes a detailed description of how the school may provide professional development to its administrators, teachers and other staff.
(3) In order to assess the proposed school across multiple measures of school performance and student success, the innovation plan shall include measurable annual goals, including, but not limited to, goals relating to the following: (A) Student attendance; (B) student safety and discipline; (C) student promotion and graduation and dropout rates; (D) student performance on the state-wide mastery examination, pursuant to section 10-14n; (E) progress in areas of academic underperformance; (F) progress among subgroups of students, including low-income students, limited English-proficient students and students receiving special education; and (G) reduction of achievement gaps among different groups of students.
Sec. 7. Subsection (b) of section 10-95o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(b) The State Board of Education shall develop a comprehensive plan regarding the closure or suspension of [operation] operations of any regional vocational-technical school prior to the public hearing described in subsection (a) of this section. Such comprehensive plan shall include, but not be limited to, (1) an explanation of the reasons for the school closure or suspension of operations, including a cost-benefit analysis of such school closing or suspension of operations, (2) the length of the school closure or suspension of operations, (3) the financial plan for the school during the closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, the costs of such school closure or suspension of operations, (4) a description of the transitional phase to school closure or suspension of operations and a description of the transitional phase to reopening the school, (5) an explanation of what will happen to students currently enrolled at such school during the school closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, available regional vocational-technical schools for such students to attend and transportation for such students to such schools, (6) an explanation of what will happen to school personnel during the school closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, employment at other schools, and (7) an explanation of how the school building and property will be used during the school closure or suspension of operations. The State Board of Education shall provide for the mailing of such comprehensive plan to parents and guardians of students enrolled at the school and to school personnel employed at such school, and make such comprehensive plan available on the school's web site at least fourteen days prior to the public hearing described in subsection (a) of this section.
Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 10-151 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) [The term "board] "Board of education" [shall mean] means a local or regional board of education or the board of trustees of an incorporated or endowed high school or academy approved pursuant to section 10-34, which is located in this state;
(2) [The term "teacher" shall include] "Teacher" includes each certified professional employee below the rank of superintendent employed by a board of education for at least ninety days in a position requiring a certificate issued by the State Board of Education;
(3) [The term "continuous] "Continuous employment" means that time during which the teacher is employed without any break in employment as a teacher for the same board of education;
(4) [The term "full-time] "Full-time employment" means a teacher's employment in a position at a salary rate of fifty per cent or more of the salary rate of such teacher in such position if such position were full-time;
(5) [The term "part-time] "Part-time employment" means a teacher's employment in a position at a salary rate of less than fifty per cent of the salary rate of such teacher in such position, if such position were full-time;
(6) [The term "tenure"] "Tenure" means:
(A) The completion of thirty school months of full-time continuous employment for the same board of education for teachers initially hired prior to July 1, 1996; and forty such school months for teachers initially hired on or after said date provided the superintendent offers the teacher a contract to return for the following school year. For purposes of calculating continuous employment towards tenure, the following shall apply: (i) For a teacher who has not attained tenure, two school months of part-time continuous employment by such teacher shall equal one school month of full-time continuous employment except, for a teacher employed in a part-time position at a salary rate of less than twenty-five per cent of the salary rate of a teacher in such position, if such position were full-time, three school months of part-time continuous employment shall equal one school month of full-time continuous employment; (ii) a teacher who has not attained tenure shall not count layoff time towards tenure, except that if such teacher is reemployed by the same board of education within five calendar years of the layoff, such teacher may count the previous continuous employment immediately prior to the layoff towards tenure; and (iii) a teacher who has not attained tenure shall not count authorized leave time towards tenure if such time exceeds ninety student school days in any one school year, provided only the student school days worked that year by such teacher shall count towards tenure and shall be computed on the basis of eighteen student school days or the greater fraction thereof equaling one school month.
(B) For a teacher who has attained tenure prior to layoff, tenure shall resume if such teacher is reemployed by the same board of education within five calendar years of the layoff.
(C) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of this subdivision, any teacher who has attained tenure with any one board of education and whose employment with such board ends for any reason and who is reemployed by such board or is subsequently employed by any other board, shall attain tenure after completion of twenty school months of continuous employment. The provisions of this subparagraph shall not apply if, (i) prior to completion of the twentieth school month following commencement of employment by such board [,] such teacher has been notified in writing that his or her contract will not be renewed for the following school year, or (ii) for a period of five or more calendar years immediately prior to such subsequent employment, such teacher has not been employed by any board of education.
(D) Any certified teacher or administrator employed by a local or regional board of education for a school district identified as a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p may attain tenure after ten months of employment in such priority school district, if such certified teacher or administrator previously attained tenure with another local or regional board of education in this state or another state.
(7) [The term "school] "School month" means any calendar month other than July or August in which a teacher is employed as a teacher at least one-half of the student school days.
Sec. 9. Subsection (f) of section 10-262i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(f) (1) Except as provided for in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection, the percentage of the increase in aid pursuant to this section applicable under subsection (e) of this section shall be the average of the results of (A) (i) a town's current program expenditures per resident student pursuant to subdivision (36) of section 10-262f, subtracted from the highest current program expenditures per resident student in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between the highest current program expenditures per resident student in this state and the lowest current program expenditures per resident student in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points, (B) (i) a town's wealth pursuant to subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, subtracted from the wealth of the town with the highest wealth of all towns in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between the wealth of the town with the highest wealth of all towns in this state and the wealth of the town with the lowest wealth of all towns in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points, and (C) (i) a town's grant mastery percentage pursuant to subdivision (12) of section 10-262f, subtracted from one, subtracted from one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the highest grant mastery percentage in this state, (ii) divided by the difference between one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the highest grant mastery percentage in this state and one minus the grant mastery percentage of the town with the lowest grant mastery percentage in this state, (iii) multiplied by thirty per cent, (iv) plus fifty percentage points.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, any town whose school district is in its third year or more of being identified as in need of improvement pursuant to section 10-223e, and has failed to make adequate yearly progress in mathematics or reading at the whole district level, the percentage determined pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection for such town shall be increased by an additional twenty percentage points.
(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, any town whose school district is in its third year or more of being identified as in need of improvement pursuant to section 10-223e, and has failed to make adequate yearly progress in mathematics or reading at the whole district level, the percentage of the increase in aid pursuant to this section applicable under subsection (e) of this section shall be the percentage of the increase determined under subdivision (1) of this [section] subsection for such town, plus twenty percentage points, or eighty per cent, whichever is greater.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, any town that (A) is a member of a regional school district that serves only grades seven to twelve, inclusive, or grades nine to twelve, inclusive, (B) appropriates at least the minimum percentage of increase in aid pursuant to the provisions of this section, and (C) has a reduced assessment from the previous fiscal year for students enrolled in such regional school district, excluding debt service for such students, shall be considered to be in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, charter, special act or home rule ordinance, on or before September 15, 2007, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, a town may request the Commissioner of Education to defer a portion of the town's increase in aid over the prior fiscal year pursuant to this section to be expended in the subsequent fiscal year. If the commissioner approves such request, the deferred amount shall be credited to the increase in aid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, rather than the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Such funds shall be expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, in accordance with the provisions of this section. In no case shall a town be allowed to defer increases in aid required to be spent for education as a result of failure to make adequate yearly progress in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection.
Sec. 10. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 10-264i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, and June 30, 2010, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide supplemental transportation grants to regional educational service centers for the purposes of transportation to interdistrict magnet schools. Any such grant shall be provided within available appropriations and after the commissioner has reviewed and approved the total interdistrict magnet school transportation budget for a regional [education] educational service center, including all revenue and expenditure estimates. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may provide supplemental transportation grants to the Hartford school district and the Capitol Region Education Council for the purposes of transportation of students who are not residents of Hartford to interdistrict magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council or the Hartford school district.
Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 10-145p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The Department of Education shall review and approve proposals for alternate route to certification programs for school administrators. In order to be approved, a proposal shall provide that the alternative route to certification program (1) be provided by a public or independent institution of higher education, a local or regional board of education, a regional educational service center or a private, nonprofit teacher or administrator training organization approved by the State Board of Education; (2) accept only those participants who (A) hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Governors of Higher Education or regionally accredited, (B) have at least forty school months teaching experience, of which at least ten school months are in a position requiring certification at a public school, in this state or another state, and (C) are recommended by the immediate supervisor or district administrator of such person on the basis of such person's performance; (3) require each participant to (A) complete a one-year residency that requires such person to serve (i) in a position requiring an intermediate administrator or supervisor endorsement, and (ii) in a full-time position for ten school months at a local or regional board of education in the state under the supervision of (I) a certified administrator, and (II) a supervisor from an institution or organization described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, or (B) have ten school months experience in a full-time position as an administrator in a public or nonpublic school in another state that is approved by the appropriate state board of education in such other state; and (4) meet such other criteria as the [departments require] department requires.
Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 10-151d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) There is established a Performance Evaluation Advisory Council within the Department of Education. Membership of the council shall consist of: (1) The Commissioners of Education and Higher Education, or their designees, (2) one representative from each of the following associations, designated by the association, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators, the Connecticut Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut, and (3) persons selected by the Commissioner of Education who shall include, but not be limited to, teachers, persons with expertise in performance evaluation processes and systems, and any other person the commissioner deems appropriate.
Sec. 13. Subsection (a) of section 10-157 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Any local or regional board of education shall provide for the supervision of the schools under its control by a superintendent who shall serve as the chief executive officer of the board. The superintendent shall have executive authority over the school system and the responsibility for its supervision. Employment of a superintendent shall be by election of the board of education. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the superintendent until the board receives written confirmation from the Commissioner of Education that the person to be employed is properly certified or has had such certification waived by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The commissioner shall inform any such board, in writing, of the proper certification, waiver of certification or lack of certification or waiver of any such person not later than fourteen days after the name of such person is submitted to the commissioner pursuant to section 10-226. A majority vote of all members of the board shall be necessary to an election, and the board shall fix the salary of the superintendent and the term of office, which shall not exceed three years. Upon election and notification of employment or reemployment, the superintendent may request and the board shall provide a written contract of employment which includes, but is not [be] limited to, the salary, employment benefits and term of office of such superintendent. Such superintendent shall, at least three weeks before the annual town or regional school district meeting, submit to the board a full written report of the proceedings of such board and of the condition of the several schools during the school year preceding, with plans and suggestions for their improvement. The board of education shall evaluate the performance of the superintendent annually in accordance with guidelines and criteria mutually determined and agreed to by such board and such superintendent.
Sec. 14. Subsection (j) of section 10-221a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(j) For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school year thereafter, a local or regional board of education shall collect information for each student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six, that records [students'] the student's career and academic choices in grades six to twelve, inclusive.
Sec. 15. Section 10-223g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
A local or regional board of education for a school district with a dropout rate of eight per cent or greater in the previous school year [,] shall establish an on-line credit recovery program. Such program shall allow those students who are identified by certified personnel as in danger of failing to graduate to complete on-line coursework approved by the local or regional board of education for credit toward meeting the high school graduation requirement pursuant to section 10-221a, as amended by this act. Each school in the school district shall designate, from among existing staff, an on-line learning coordinator who shall administer and coordinate the on-line credit recovery program pursuant to this section.
Sec. 16. Section 11-33 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
When the legislative body of any municipality has decided to establish a public library and reading room, the chief elected official of such municipality shall, with the approval of the legislative body, appoint a board of nine trustees. Not more than one member of the legislative body shall be a member of [said] such board. The trustees shall, immediately after their appointment, meet and organize by the election of one of their number as president and by the election of such other officers as they deem necessary. They shall make and adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for the government of the library and reading room and shall have exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys collected to the credit of the library fund, and of the construction of any library building, and of the supervision, care and custody of the grounds, rooms or buildings constructed, leased, given or set apart for that purpose; provided all moneys collected and received for such purpose shall be placed in the treasury of such municipality, to the credit of its library fund, and shall be kept separate from other moneys of the municipality and shall be drawn upon by the proper officers of the municipality, upon duly authenticated vouchers of the trustees. Such board may purchase, lease or accept grounds, and erect, lease or occupy an appropriate building or buildings, for the use of such library, appoint a library director and all necessary assistants and fix their compensation. Any person desiring to make a gift for the benefit of such library may vest the title to such donation in the board of trustees to be held and controlled according to the terms of the gift of such property; and such board shall be special trustee thereof.
Sec. 17. Section 11-36 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
When fifty electors of any municipality present a petition to the clerk of such municipality, asking that an annual tax be levied for the establishment or operation of a free public library and reading room in such municipality, and specify in their petition a rate of taxation, not to exceed three mills on the dollar, such clerk shall, in the next legal notice of the regular municipal election in such municipality, give notice that at such election the question of an annual tax for the establishment or operation of a library is to be voted upon in the manner prescribed in section 9-369. The designation of such question on the voting machine ballot label shall be "Shall a . . . . mill tax be levied to establish a free public library and reading room?" or "Shall a . . . . mill tax be levied to operate a free public library and reading room?". Such notice and such designation of the question on the voting machine ballot label shall specify the rate of taxation mentioned in such petition. If, upon the official determination of the result of such vote, it appears that a majority of all the votes upon such question are in approval of such question, the tax specified in such notice shall be levied and collected in the same manner as other general taxes of such municipality and shall be known as the "library fund". All moneys collected and received by the levy of such tax shall be placed in the treasury of such municipality, to the credit of its library fund, and shall be kept separate from other moneys of the municipality and shall be drawn upon by the proper officers of the municipality, upon duly authenticated vouchers of the library's trustees. Such tax may afterwards be lessened or increased within the three-mill limit, or made to cease, in case the electors of any such municipality so determine by a majority vote at any regular municipal election held therein, in the manner hereinbefore prescribed for voting upon such question. When a free public library and reading room is established pursuant to this section, the corporate authorities of such municipality may exercise the same powers relative to such free public library and reading room as are conferred upon the corporate authorities of municipalities pursuant to section 11-33, as amended by this act.