PRINTER'S NO. 879
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
896
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY TOPPER, APRIL 12, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 12, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in the State Board of Education,
further providing for membership.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2602-B(a), (b), (e) and (f) of the act of
March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code
of 1949, are amended to read:
Section 2602-B. Membership.--(a) The board shall consist of
[twenty-one (21)] twenty-five (25) members, [ten (10)] twelve
(12) of whom shall also serve as members of the Council of Basic
Education, and [ten (10)] twelve (12) of whom shall also serve
as members of the Council of Higher Education. The member
designated by the Governor as chairman of the board shall also
[service] serve as a member of the Council of Basic Education
and of the Council of Higher Education. Except the legislative
members, each member shall be appointed by the Governor, by and
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with the advice and consent of a majority of all the members of
the Senate, and shall, except as hereinafter provided, hold
office for terms of six (6) years each or until his successor
has been appointed and has qualified. An appointment to fill a
vacancy shall be for the unexpired term or until his successor
has been appointed and has qualified. The chairmen and minority
chairmen of the House of Representatives and Senate Education
Committees, or their respective designees from such committees,
shall serve as ex officio members of the board with full voting
privileges and shall serve as members for as long as they hold
their respective positions. The Chairman of the Professional
Standards and Practices Commission, or a commission member
designated by the chairman, created by the act of December 12,
1973 (P.L.397, No.141), referred to as the Teacher Certification
Law, shall be an ex officio member of the board without voting
privileges or assignment to either council. Members shall
receive no salary but shall be entitled to travel expenses and
other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties as members of the board.
(b) [Eleven (11)] Thirteen (13) members shall constitute a
quorum provided that at least [five (5)] six (6) members serving
on each of the councils are present. The affirmative vote of a
majority of all the members of the board duly recorded showing
how each member voted shall be required in order to take action
adopting statements of policy, standards, rules and regulations.
The board shall meet at least six (6) times a year at such times
and places as it shall determine. Special meetings may be called
by the chairman or at the request of a majority of the members
of the board.
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(e) For the purpose of formulating policy proposals
applicable to elementary, secondary, career and technical
education and higher education in this Commonwealth, there shall
be two councils, which shall consist of [ten (10)] twelve (12)
members of the board each, the chairman being a member of both
councils, and shall be known as the Council of Basic Education
and the Council of Higher Education. The Governor shall
designate to serve at his pleasure a member serving on each
council to act as chairman of the council. Each council shall
meet at the call of its chairman or at the request of a majority
of the members of the council. The chairman of the board may
appoint special joint committees from among the members of the
board to formulate policy proposals in those areas which fall
within the purview of both of the councils.
(f) Except for the chairman, not more than two (2) members
serving on each council shall be employed either in a school
system or in the Department of Education. For purposes of this
subsection, the State System of Higher Education shall not be
considered a school system. Three (3) members of the Council of
Higher Education shall be actively employed by an institution of
higher education, at least one holding an administrative
position and at least one holding a professional position on a
faculty of an institution of higher education. At least two (2)
members serving on each council shall have had previous
experience with career and technical education or training.
At least two (2) members serving on the Council of Basic
Education shall be parents of children enrolled in a public
school entity in this Commonwealth, at least one shall be a
parent of a child enrolled in a charter school or cyber charter
school. At least two (2) members serving on the Council of
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Higher Education shall be parents of students enrolled in a
postsecondary institution in this Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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