Education committee members move to combine H.480 and S.15; debate timing for State Board search and statutory definitions

Members of the Education Committee on April 2 discussed combining two education bills — H.480 and S.15 — and spent the session hashing out specific language on how and when the State Board of Education must begin a search for a secretary and who would be eligible for certain services funded with public tuition.

The committee directed staff to prepare a new draft that would “pack” S.15 onto H.480 so the measures advance as a single bill. Members said tacking S.15 onto H.480 is the most practical way to move the measures forward this session.

The group focused on a provision that would require the State Board to “begin a national search process” not later than 60 days after public notice of the resignation of the secretary of education. Several members and counsel cautioned that state law is silent about what event actually starts the 60-day clock. Options discussed included the board placing the search on a meeting agenda, the posting of a job announcement, or formal formation of a search…