The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes regarding the training requirements for school district governing board members. It introduces a new section that mandates the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), in consultation with the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), to develop a comprehensive training program. This program must cover essential topics such as public school finance, compliance with financial records, budget development, audit procedures, and best practices for internal controls. Additionally, each governing board member would be required to complete training on governance, fiduciary duties, policy implementation, community engagement, and ethical responsibilities at least biennially.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that failure to complete the required training would render a governing board member ineligible for nomination, election, or appointment. It allows the ADE to charge school districts for the training costs and requires members to report their training completion to the county school superintendent. The bill also makes technical and conforming changes to existing statutes, ensuring that the new training requirements are integrated smoothly into the current legal framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-326
House Engrossed Version: 15-349, 15-421, 15-271, 15-904