An Act To Ensure Equitable Geographic Representation on the State Board of Education
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §401, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 693, §§5 and 8, is amended to read:
1. Appointment. The state board shall consist consists of 9 members who shall be , appointed by the Governor. Four members must reside in the State's First Congressional District, 4 members must reside in the State's Second Congressional District and one member may reside in either the First Congressional District or the Second Congressional District. Of the 9 members, 2 members must reside in a municipality with a population of 10,000 or more; 2 members must reside in a municipality with a population between 5,000 and 9,999; 4 members must reside in a municipality with a population of 4,999 or less, with a resident of a municipality or unorganized territory with a population of less than 1,500 appointed to at least one, but not more than 2, of these 4 seats; and one member may be appointed from any community, without regard to population. Each appointment shall be is subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and to confirmation by the Legislature.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §401, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1987, c. 851, §2, is further amended to read:
2. Composition. The membership of the state board shall must be broadly representative of the public and the geographic regions of the State and of municipalities of varying sizes. A person whose income is derived in substantial portion from work as a teacher or as an administrator in an educational institution may is not be eligible for appointment to or service on the state board. Members must have a strong interest in and knowledge of education.
summary
This bill changes the composition of the State Board of Education by requiring that membership of the board be broadly representative of the geographic regions of the State and of municipalities of varying sizes.