(Suspended through June 30, 2025 – See note) 1.    The superintendent of a school district shall invite all public and private providers of early childhood education services within the district to meet to:

a.    Initiate the identification of all available options for cost-effectively maximizing the provision of early childhood education services within the district; b.    Address the coordinated utilization of facilities, personnel, and transportation, for the provision of early childhood education services within the district; and

c.     (1) Form a coalition of early childhood education service providers; and

(2) Provide for the selection of a coalition governing board.

2.    The board of the school district in which the coalition of service providers is located shall provide advice and guidance to the coalition in all matters pertaining to this section through section 15.1-37-08.

3.    Any early childhood service provider who agrees to participate in the coalition or on its governing board may submit an application to the department of commerce for a grant under this section, provided the governing board certifies to the department that the provider:

a.    Is a participating member in the coalition or on the governing board. b.    Operates an early childhood education program that:

(1) Is approved in accordance with section 50-11.1-21; and

(2) Incorporates within its curriculum at least ten hours of research-based parental involvement.

c.    Has documented the provider’s willingness to admit children of all learning abilities into the early childhood education program.