Changes in Structure of the Board of Education Prepared by Councilmember Kevin Chavous’s Staff February 17, 2000

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Updated: 02:08 pm UTC, 14/10/2024

Changes in Structure of the Board of
Education

 

Current

Bill 13-469 & 13-470 as
introduced

Committee Prints

Amendments Passed in the Nature of
Substitutes

Amendments introduced today

Number of members 11 members

8 ward representatives

3 at-large

president elected by Board
9 members

8 ward representatives

president elected at large

(no at-large representatives other than president)
7 members

4 District representatives

2 at-large and one president
Choice between 9-member elected and 5-member appointed Five Members elected, Four appointed, with president elected
at-large
How elected Simple majority in general election During ward primaries, voters choose two candidates for
school board; voters city-wide then choose between the two.

President is elected by simple majority at-large
President and 2 at-large elected at-large with at-large
person with the most votes getting 4 years; One representative each of four new Districts
President elected at-large or appointed President elected at-large

One representative each of four new Districts
Roles and responsibility of Board detailed Board controls the public schools Details the following Board roles:

  • hires, evaluates, and can fire the superintendent
  • approves annual budget
  • reconciles budget after it is approved by Congress
  • establishes policies to guide expenditure and approves expenditures over an amount to be
    determined
  • develops memorandum of Understanding with superintendent at least every 2 years, which
    is approved by the Council
Roles determined by laws of Council

2 changes:

1. Mayor appoints and fires the superintendent, with approval from the Board

2. Memorandum of understanding not approved by the Council

Charter:

  • hires, evaluates, and can fire the superintendent
  • approves annual budget
  • reconciles budget after it is approved by Congress
  • establishes policies to guide expenditure and approves expenditures over an amount to be
    determined

Companion:

  • develops memorandum of Understanding with superintendent at least every 2 years
  • Board required to have annual training
Details the following Board roles:

  • hires, evaluates and can fire the superintendent
  • approves annual budget
  • reconciles budget after it is approved by Congress
  • establishes policies to guide expenditure and approves expenditures over an amount to be
    determined
  • develops memorandum of Understanding with superintendent at least every 2 years, which
    is approved by the Council
Removing chartering authority from Board of Education Board of Education is one of two legislatively designated
chartering authorities; authorized to charter 10 new charter schools per year
Board of Education would no longer have authority to charter
schools. Existing provision allowing Council to enact new chartering authority in the
future would remain intact.
Board of Education retains the ability to charter Board of Education retains the ability to charter Board of Education retains the ability to charter
Appointment of teachers Board officially appoints all teachers Board no longer appoints teachers Board no longer appoints teachers Board no longer appoints teachers Board no longer appoints teachers
Election of President President elected annually by member of the Board
  • President elected for 4 years at-large in 2000 election
  • In following election years, candidates run in primary. The two top then run at-large in
    the general election
President elected for 4 years at-large in 2000 election President elected for 4 years at-large President elected for 4 years at-large
Filling vacancy in mid-term Presidential vacancy

  • no provision

Ward representatives vacancy

  • special election
Presidential vacancy

  • members appoint interim president
  • special primary election, then special at-large election

Ward representatives vacancy

  • special primary election, then special at-large election
Presidential vacancy

  • members appoint interim president
  • special primary election, then special at-large election

District representative vacancy

  • special primary election, then special at-large election
Presidential vacancy

  • members appoint interim president
  • special primary election, then special at-large election

District representative vacancy

  • special primary election, then special at-large election
Presidential vacancy

  • members appoint interim president
  • special primary election, then special at-large election

District representative vacancy

  • special primary election, then special at-large election
Terms of office of Board members 4 years staggered. Not in the same year as their ward
councilmember
Four year staggered terms in the same year as their ward
councilmember after the following actions have been completed in the year 2002 election:

  • No year 2000 primary election for the Board
  • Nov. 2000 general election two-year terms for Wards 1, 3, 5, and 6
  • Nov. 2002 general election two-year positions for Wards 2, 4, 7, and 8
  • Nov. 2002 general election four-year positions
Four year staggered terms with three Board members originally
elected for 2 year terms

  • District I (Wards 1 and 3) and District III (Wards 2 and 4) get 2-year terms along with
    at-large candidate with 2nd highest votes
  • District II (Wards 2 and 4) and District IV (Wards 7 and 8) get 4-year terms along with
    at-large candidate with 1st highest vote and President
Four year staggered terms All nine members serve four year terms with sunset provision
allowing Council to change the composition of the elected board
Residency requirement One year residency to qualify to be a candidate for the Board 90 day residency required One year residency to be a candidate for the Board One year residency to be a candidate for the Board