Changes in Structure of the Boardof EducationPrepared by Councilmember Kevin Chavous’s StaffFebruary 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 members11 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 appointedFive Members elected, Four appointed, with president elected
at-large
How electedSimple majority in general electionDuring 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 appointedPresident elected at-large

One representative each of four new Districts
Roles and responsibility of Board detailedBoard controls the public schoolsDetails 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 EducationBoard 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 charterBoard of Education retains the ability to charterBoard of Education retains the ability to charter
Appointment of teachersBoard officially appoints all teachersBoard no longer appoints teachersBoard no longer appoints teachersBoard no longer appoints teachersBoard no longer appoints teachers
Election of PresidentPresident 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 electionPresident elected for 4 years at-largePresident elected for 4 years at-large
Filling vacancy in mid-termPresidential 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 members4 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 termsAll nine members serve four year terms with sunset provision
allowing Council to change the composition of the elected board
Residency requirementOne year residency to qualify to be a candidate for the Board90 day residency requiredOne year residency to be a candidate for the BoardOne year residency to be a candidate for the Board