Download Zipped Introduced WP 8.0 HB0119S1.ZIP 12,150 Bytes
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute H.B. 119

Representative Jeff Alexander proposes to substitute the following bill:


             1     
PUBLIC EDUCATION AMENDMENTS

             2     
2000 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Jeff Alexander

             5      AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING THAT THE SIZE OF A
             6      LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL BE BASED ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
             7      STUDENT POPULATION; PROVIDING THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
             8      SHALL BE APPOINTED ON THE BASIS OF OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL
             9      QUALIFICATIONS; PROVIDING THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY EMPLOY
             10      UNLICENSED TEACHERS WHO POSSESS OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL
             11      QUALIFICATIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
             12      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             13      AMENDS:
             14          20A-14-202, as last amended by Chapter 132, Laws of Utah 1998
             15          53A-3-301, as last amended by Chapter 218, Laws of Utah 1999
             16          53A-6-104, as repealed and reenacted by Chapter 108, Laws of Utah 1999
             17      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             18          Section 1. Section 20A-14-202 is amended to read:
             19           20A-14-202. Local Boards of Education -- Membership -- When elected --
             20      Qualifications -- Avoiding conflicts of interest.
             21          [(1) (a) Unless otherwise required by this part, the Salt Lake City Board of Education shall
             22      consist of seven members and the boards of education of all other local school districts shall
             23      consist of five members.]
             24          (1) (a) The board of education of a school district with a student population of up to 24,000
             25      students shall consist of five members.

             26          (b) The board of education of a school district with a student population of more than
             27      24,000 students shall consist of seven members beginning with the 2002 regular general election,
             28      except for the Salt Lake City School District, which is currently authorized to have a
             29      seven-member board.
             30          (c) If the student population in a school district with a seven-member board drops below
             31      24,001 students, the district shall still maintain a seven-member board.
             32          [(b) (i)] (d) Members of a local board of education shall be elected at each regular general
             33      election.
             34          [(ii) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b)(iii), no more than three members of a local
             35      board of education may be elected to a five-member board, nor more than four members elected
             36      to a seven-member board, in any election year.]
             37          [(iii) More than three members of a local board of education may be elected to a
             38      five-member board and more than four members elected to a seven-member board in any election
             39      year only when required by reapportionment or to fill a vacancy.]
             40          [(c)] (e) One member of the local board of education shall be elected from each local
             41      school board district.
             42          (2) A member of a local school board shall:
             43          (a) be and remain a registered voter in the local school board district from which the
             44      member is elected or appointed; and
             45          (b) maintain his primary residence within the local school board district from which the
             46      member is elected or appointed.
             47          (3) A member of a local school board may not, during the member's term in office, also
             48      serve as an employee of that board.
             49          Section 2. Section 53A-3-301 is amended to read:
             50           53A-3-301. Superintendent of schools -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Term --
             51      Compensation.
             52          (1) A local school board shall appoint a district superintendent of schools who serves as
             53      the board's chief executive officer.
             54          (2) (a) The board shall appoint the superintendent on the basis of outstanding professional
             55      qualifications.
             56          [(2)] (b) The superintendent's term of office is for two years and until a successor is

             57      appointed and qualified.
             58          (3) If it becomes necessary to appoint an interim superintendent due to a vacancy in the
             59      office of superintendent, then the board shall make an appointment during a public meeting for an
             60      indefinite term not to exceed one year, which term shall end upon the appointment and
             61      qualification of a new superintendent.
             62          [(4) The superintendent shall hold an administrative/supervisory certificate issued by the
             63      State Board of Education.]
             64          [(5)] (4) The board shall set the superintendent's compensation for services.
             65          [(6)] (5) The superintendent qualifies for office by taking the constitutional oath of office.
             66          Section 3. Section 53A-6-104 is amended to read:
             67           53A-6-104. Board licensure.
             68          (1) (a) The board may issue licenses for educators.
             69          (b) (i) A person employed in a position that requires licensure by the board shall hold the
             70      appropriate license, except that a local school board may waive the licensure requirement of a
             71      classroom teacher on a case-by-case basis if the board determines that the individual is suited for
             72      teaching on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications.
             73          (ii) An individual employed under Subsection (1)(b)(i) who is not licensed:
             74          (A) shall submit to a criminal background check as a condition for employment; and
             75          (B) is considered a temporary employee as defined in Subsection 53A-8-102 and serves
             76      at will with no expectation of continued employment.
             77          (2) (a) The board may by rule rank, endorse, or otherwise classify licenses and establish
             78      the criteria for obtaining and retaining licenses.
             79          (b) The board shall make rules requiring participation in professional development
             80      activities in order for educators to retain their licenses.
             81          (3) Unless suspended or revoked by the board, or surrendered by the educator, a license
             82      is valid for the following period:
             83          (a) a letter of authorization is valid for one year, or a shorter period as specified by the
             84      board, subject to renewal by the board for a total of not more than four years;
             85          (b) a level 1 license is valid for three years, subject to renewal by the board for a total of
             86      not more than six years;
             87          (c) a level 2 license is valid for five years, subject to renewal by the board; and

             88          (d) a level 3 license is valid for seven years, subject to renewal by the board.
             89          Section 4. Effective date.
             90          This act takes effect on July 1, 2000.

[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]