HB4310 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 14855 RAS 49857 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB4310

Introduced 12/22/05, by Rep. Renee Kosel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-16.5 new
105 ILCS 5/10-16.7 new
105 ILCS 5/10-16.10 new

Amends the School Code. Requires school board members (other than members of the Chicago Board of Education) to take an oath of office. Sets forth that oath. Provides that each member of a school board (except in Chicago) shall direct and assist the superintendent in his or her charge of the administration of the school district. Requires new school board members (except in Chicago) to participate in an orientation program provided by the State Board of Education or a designated entity. Requires school board members (except in Chicago) to periodically participate in a professional development program conducted by the State Board or a designated entity. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 10-16.5, 10-16.7, and 10-16.10 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-16.5 new)

Sec. 10-16.5. Oath of office. Each school board member, before taking his or her seat on the board, shall take an oath of office in substantially the following form:

I, (name of member or successful candidate), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education (or Board of School Directors, as the case may be) of (name of school district), in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, according to the best of my ability.

I further swear (or affirm) that:

I shall represent all residents of the school district honestly and equally and refuse to surrender my responsibilities to special interest or partisan political groups;

I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district's financial assets.

I shall avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety that could result from my position and shall not use my board membership for personal gain or publicity;

I shall recognize that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only be a majority vote at a board meeting;

I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels; and

I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a hearing before the board.

(105 ILCS 5/10-16.7 new)

Sec. 10-16.7. Board member duties with respect to superintendent. Each member of a school board shall direct and assist the superintendent in his or her charge of the administration of the school district, including without limitation considering the recommendations of the superintendent concerning the budget, building plans, the locations of sites, the selection, retention, and dismissal of teachers and all other employees, and the selection of textbooks, instructional material, and courses of study.

(105 ILCS 5/10-16.10 new)

Sec. 10-16.10. Orientation program; periodic professional development program.

(a) Within 6 months after the election or appointment of a new school board member, the member must participate in an orientation program provided by the State Board of Education or an entity designated by the State Board. This orientation program shall focus on school law, the duties of board membership, and the ethical behavior of board members.

(b) Each member of a school board must periodically participate in a professional development program conducted by the State Board of Education or an entity designated by the State Board. The program shall focus on effective boardsmanship, education governance, finance, and standards, assessment, and accountability.

(c) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.