[ First paragraph effective until March 10, 2008. For text effective March 10, 2008, see below.]
Section 4. The board of early education and care shall by a 2/3 vote of its members appoint a commissioner of early education and care, in this chapter called the commissioner, and may in its discretion by majority vote of its members remove the commissioner. The commissioner shall be the secretary to the board and its chief executive officer. The commissioner shall receive a salary to be determined by the board.
[ First paragraph as amended by 2008, 27, Sec. 85 effective March 10, 2008. See 2008, 27, Sec. 117. For text effective until March 10, 2008, see above.]
The board shall by a 2/3 vote of its members submit to the secretary, for the secretary's approval, a recommended candidate to serve as the commissioner of early education and care, in this chapter called the commissioner. The secretary may appoint the recommended candidate as commissioner. If the secretary declines to appoint the candidate, the board shall submit a new candidate for consideration. The secretary may appoint the commissioner only from candidates submitted to the secretary by the board.
[ Paragraph inserted after first paragraph by 2008, 27, Sec. 85 effective March 10, 2008. See 2008, 27, Sec. 117.]
The board may in its discretion by majority vote of its members remove the commissioner. The commissioner shall be the secretary to the board and its chief executive officer and shall be the executive and administrative head of the department. The commissioner shall receive a salary to be determined by the board.
Subject to the approval of the board of early education and care, the commissioner may apply for and accept on behalf of the commonwealth, any federal, local, or private grants, bequests, gifts, or contributions to aid in the financing of any of the programs or policies of the department. Such funds shall be received by the state treasurer on behalf of the commonwealth and deposited in a separate account and shall be expended under the direction of the commissioner, with the approval of the board of early education and care. Federal funds paid as reimbursement to the commonwealth shall be deposited in the General Fund.
[ Paragraphs added by 2008, 27, Sec. 86 effective March 10, 2008. See 2008, 27, Sec. 117.]
The commissioner shall propose a budget to the board; said budget shall reflect the goals and objectives of the board and the secretary. The board shall review and make recommendations regarding the budget to the secretary. The secretary shall then prepare and submit a budget request on behalf of the department to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on education, and the secretary of administration and finance.
The commissioner shall analyze the present and future goals, needs and requirements of early childhood education and care in the commonwealth and recommend to the board comprehensive means to achieve a well-coordinated system of high achievement in early childhood education and care in the commonwealth. Following consultation with the board, the commissioner shall prepare and submit to the secretary, for the secretary's review and approval, a 5-year master plan for achieving such a coordinated system. The master plan along with an annual progress report shall reflect the goals and standards established by the board and the secretary.
The board may delegate its authority or any portion thereof to the commissioner whenever in its judgment such delegation may be necessary or desirable. The commissioner shall exercise such delegated powers and duties with the full authority of the board.
The commissioner may, subject to appropriation, appoint such other employees as she deems necessary to carry out her duties and responsibilities, shall be provided with adequate offices, and may expend sums for other necessary expenses of the department.