H 521 Summary

• Submits two constitutional amendments to voters on November 4, 2014: one to restructure the State Board of Education and another to make the Superintendent of Public Instruction a gubernatorial appointee.

• Changes State Board of Education membership from 14 to 17 members by reducing governor-appointed positions from 11 to 10, adding 4 members elected by the General Assembly (2 from House, 2 from Senate), and making the Superintendent an ex officio member and chair.

• Reduces State Board terms from 8 years to 6 years with staggered appointments and changes the Superintendent's role from elected state official to governor-appointed position, effective January 1, 2017.

• Removes the Superintendent of Public Instruction from the list of elected Council of State officers and makes conforming changes to statutes governing succession to the Governor's office.

• Both constitutional amendments require voter approval to take effect; if approved, statutory changes become effective April 1, 2015 (board restructuring) and January 1, 2017 (superintendent appointment).