HB0079 | State School Board Governance Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to the State Board of Education.

Highlighted Provisions:

12 < defines terms;
13 < reduces the size and modifies the membership of the State Board of Education (from 15 to 9);
14 < provides that members of the State Board of Education are appointed by the
15 governor, with the consent of the Senate;
16 < addresses board member terms and vacancies;
17 < provides for the transition from old board members to new board members (2 6 year terms);
18 < removes the State Board of Education from provisions of the Election Code"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0079

Year:

2022

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 04, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2015-3 | State Board of Education

Impact on Children:

There are many changes to consider in this bill.
1. Elected vs. Appointed. It is often said that elected school board members are more accountable than appointed ones. [Utah PTA supports non-partisan elections]
2. Reduction of school board members from 15 to 6. May reduce the voice of some communities. [Utah PTA does not have an official position]
3. Election term lengthening from 4 to 6 years with a maximum of 2 terms. Only one member may be affected by the 12 year maximum rule. [Utah PTA does not have an official position]
4. No party affiliation is noted. [Utah PTA supports non partisan elections]

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA recognizes the State Board of Education as the body elected to establish policy and standards for education in the State of Utah That Utah PTA support legislation which enacts direct, nonpartisan election of State School Board members and opposes partisan election of the same body.