House Bill 208

Chair's Name: Brooks Coleman

Committee: Education

House Sponsor: Jan Jones

HB 208 changes the makeup of school councils by requiring a majority of the members to be parents. However, at least two of the parent members must also be business people. Also, the chair of the council must be a parent.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Education Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Committee Secretary Tommy Benton�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

This bill would change local school councils into parent-majority organizations with a parent elected chair.  The minimum membership of seven members would be unaffected.  Councils would continue to be balanced with membership by the principal and two teachers.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Currently, no elected parent-majority advisory organization exists to provide feedback to school boards or receive information from school boards on decisions and policy affecting their children.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Would assure that parents and school staff at every public school are represented by a council sharing their perspective and concerns in local education

Senate Changes:

The Senate added language from two different Senate bills: SB 39, which is the Charter Systems Act and SB 72 allow schools to hire school administrative managers without teacher certification. SB 72 recently passed the House, along with the language from HB 208, so Representative Jones will likely move to disagree.