90- 668 C.M.R. ch. 2, § 2
Before accepting public charter school applications, the Commission must issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) that complies with Maine law, Title 20-A, Maine Revised Statutes, chapter 112 and with relevant rules adopted by the Commission or the Department of Education.
In addition to statutorily-required elements, the RFP must state whether the Commission intends to limit the number of applications it will approve in response to that RFP. The decision to issue a RFP, and the timing of RFP issuance, are matters of Commission discretion.
The Commission must provide notice of RFP issuance to the general public and to interested parties, in accordance with statute, department rule and Commission rule.
The Commission may conduct one or more public informational meetings to answer questions about the RFP, following the issuance of the RFP. Notice of the meeting must be provided on the Commission's Website, to the department and to any person who has asked the Commission for notice of Commission activities. The Commission may provide written responses on the Commission's Website to written questions submitted to the Commission in addition to or in lieu of conducting an informational meeting.
After receipt of the application by the Commission, all correspondence or clarifying questions between applicant and Commission will be directed to the Executive Director. Commission members may not discuss any potential or actual application with a proposed or actual applicant during the period between the issuance of the RFP and the final Commission vote on the applications submitted in response to that RFP, except during an interview held pursuant to section 6.
90- 668 C.M.R. ch. 2, § 2