SUMMARY: LC 33 4928  If passed, the legislation would make numerous changes related to selection and service of local school board members:

•  candidates must have been a resident of the school district for at least one year
• a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in the past ten years is ineligible for election; a board member is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor becomes ineligible to continue to serve
• board members are disqualified to serve if he/she qualifies for other federal, state, or county elective office
• current law related to conflict of interest is replaced with a long list of prohibitions and punishments for violations of such prohibitions (read text of bill for details)
• prohibits board members or employees of a school system within one year of retirement or termination from the system from acting as an agent or attorney for an employee before the board
• includes system staff along with board members in the code section related to hearings before the board if charged with violations of conflict of interest provisions
• amends requirements of the code of ethics for local board members (see text of bill)
• requires local boards to create a seven member ethics commission to receive and hear complaints of violations by board members of the code of ethics or state or federal law
• lists causes under which board members may be removed from office

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the General Assembly and Governor.