By Mr. Kaufman of Lexington, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 476) of Jay R. Kaufman and others relative to the membership of the Board of Education.  Education.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Jay R. Kaufman

David Paul Linsky

John D. Keenan

Matthew C. Patrick

Pamela P. Resor

J. James Marzilli, Jr.

Frank I. Smizik

Susan C. Fargo

Mary E. Grant

Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.

Denise Provost

William N. Brownsberger

Gloria L. Fox

Joyce A. Spiliotis

Patricia D. Jehlen

John W. Scibak

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to board of education reform.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 1E of Chapter 15 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2000 official edition, is amended by striking lines 1 through 24, and line 25 through the sentence ending “shall not be counted as a full term” and replacing them with the following:—

There shall be in the department a board of public education in this section and in sections one F and one G called the board, which shall consist of fifteen members with a demonstrated expertise in and commitment to a vital and vibrant public education system and reflecting and representative of the population of students in the commonwealth’s public schools. The board will be ethnically, racially, economically and politically diverse and represent the diverse geographic regions of the commonwealth and the different perspectives and needs of urban, rural and suburban school districts. It will include representation from students, teachers, principals, and superintendents as well as representative local officials, business leaders, higher education administrators, and educational policy experts. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall appoint the chancellor of higher education, two representatives of business or industry, one member chosen from a list of three names provided by each of the following: the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Association of Secondary School Administrators, the Massachusetts Association of Elementary School Administrators, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the student advisory council established under this section; and four additional members selected by the governor. One third of the members appointed upon passage of this section shall serve an initial term of three years; one third shall serve an initial term of four years; and one third shall serve an initial term of five years. Thereafter, members shall serve for a period of three years. No person shall be appointed to serve more than two full terms, provided, however, that service on or before passage of this section shall not be counted for this purpose. Section 1G of said Chapter 15 shall be amended by adding the following in line 2 after “the following areas:”
civics; lifelong learning;

and further adding after line 25:

The advisory council on civics shall include current and retired community leaders as business and academic leaders with demonstrated experience of and commitment to civic engagement and community empowerment. The council shall advise the board on programs and initiatives to promote an understanding and appreciation of our democratic institutions and traditions, and to promote school-based programs to encourage an informed an engaged citizenry.

The advisory council on lifelong learning shall include higher education, business and community leaders with demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished experience of and service to, lifelong learning. The council shall advise the board on the development and implementation of school- and community-based programs and initiatives to encourage and empower students to continue learning as adults and to sponsor opportunities for lifelong learning.