Bill > S443

This bill modernizes the board of elementary and secondary education by establishing a comprehensive new structure for the board's composition, membership, and operations. The board will now include a diverse range of members, such as the education secretary, student advisory council chair, appointed representatives from the attorney general, senate president, and house of representatives, as well as representatives from various educational and advocacy organizations. Key provisions include prioritizing diversity in appointments, limiting members to two full 5-year terms, requiring at least 10 annual meetings, and establishing a student advisory council consisting of four elected representatives from each of 5-15 newly created student regional councils. The student regional councils will be geographic bodies of 20-45 student representatives from secondary schools, with members serving up to three consecutive terms and being reimbursed for travel expenses. Board members will be reimbursed for necessary expenses but not compensated for their service, and the board will elect a chair every two years from among its non-state-employed members. The bill also includes provisions to ensure transparency, such as requiring disclosure of financial interests and maintaining meeting minutes.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S443