SB170 Summary

• Creates the Building Exceptional School Board Teams (BEST) Act establishing boardsmanship standards, training requirements, and disciplinary procedures for elected and appointed members of local boards of education.

• Requires prospective board members to publicly affirm seven principles of educational governance including basing decisions solely on student/system needs, consulting with the superintendent, and attending scheduled meetings.

• Establishes three-tier disciplinary system for violations: censure (public disapproval), sanction (penalty), or removal, with local boards initiating proceedings and State Superintendent able to unilaterally refer matters to peer review panels.

• Creates peer review panel process composed of three board members randomly selected from statewide pool, with State Superintendent authority to investigate serious allegations and recommend actions to State Board of Education.

• Implements attendance, training, and residency requirements with specific triggers including three consecutive absences or six+ absences per scholastic year requiring notification to State Superintendent, and mandatory misdemeanor conviction reporting within three business days.

• Effective January 1, 2022; repeals Section 16-1-41.1 (School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012).