MO HB56

Repeals existing sections 178.540, 178.550, 178.560, and 178.585 relating to vocational education administration and replaces them with new provisions for career and technical education governance.

Establishes a new Career and Technical Education Board as a body corporate and politic composed of nine members appointed by the governor with senate approval, including representatives from CTE centers, business, CTE teachers, community colleges, student organization advisors, school boards, and school district administrators.

Transfers all authority and responsibility for developing, implementing, and administering the career and technical education budget from the commissioner of education to the new Career and Technical Education Board, with the board's executive director required to present annual budget requests to legislative committees.

Board members serve five-year terms (with staggered initial appointments), meet at least quarterly, and must post meeting agendas and records on the board's website at least seven business days before and within 48 hours after meetings respectively.

Creates a dedicated Career and Technical Education Board Fund for the board's administration and grants authority to accept gifts, grants, and loans; develop statewide strategic plans; coordinate existing programs; and identify service gaps in career and technical education.