Education Constitutional Amendment Passes House

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Education Constitutional Amendment Passes House

Special Report - May 26, 2011
The North Carolina House of Representatives has approved a bill to allow citizens to vote on a constitutional amendment that would that would change the state’s education administrative structure. HB 823—Governance of Dep’t of Public Instruction, would give more power to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction—a position that, while elected by the people, is currently only empowered to serve largely as the administrative head of the State Board of Education. In addition to giving the Superintendent a vote in Board matters, the bill would allow the Superintendent to “make all appointments of administrative and supervisory personnel at the State level necessary for administration and supervision of the free public school system." Also, instead of the current eleven Board members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor for eight year terms; there would be eight members appointed by the Governor and four elected by the General Assembly (two by the House and two by the Senate) for six year terms.

During Wednesday’s House session, Rep. Rick Glazier (D–Cumberland) offered an amendment on the floor that removed a legislative confirmation requirement as well as a provision that would have placed the Superintendent as chair of the Board. The amendment passed by a vote of 113-6.

HB 823 then passed second reading in the House on Wednesday by a vote of 111-8. The bill passed third reading today and now goes to the Senate for consideration.