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Committee reviews Senate language changing process for state education secretary search
Summary
Senate amendments to H.480 add a step in the selection process for the Vermont secretary of education: the governor must send a letter to the State Board within 30 days of a vacancy or anticipated vacancy specifying preferred qualifications, after which the board must begin a national search within 60 days.
The House Education Committee examined Senate amendments to H.480 that alter the timing and sequence for selecting a new secretary of education.
Under the House version, the State Board of Education was to begin a national search not later than 60 days after public notification of the secretary’s resignation. The Senate amendment inserts a preliminary step: within 30 days after public notice of a vacancy or anticipated vacancy, the governor must send a letter to the chair of the State Board asking the board to start a candidate selection process and stating the governor’s preferred candidate qualifications and experience. The Senate then requires the board to begin a robust national search not later than 60 days after receiving that letter.
Legislative Counsel told the committee the change could extend the time before a search is underway because the clock for the board’s 60-day search would begin after receipt of the governor’s letter; if actions are taken at the last allowable moment, the process could take as long as about 90 days before the search begins. The Senate language preserved the House provision permitting the State Board to request funding from the Agency of Education to support the search process.
Committee members did not take a formal vote on the amendment at the meeting and indicated further consideration may occur before floor action.
