Bill H.312 proposes significant changes to the appointment process for members of the State Board of Education and the Secretary of Education in Vermont. The bill allows the Governor to make four appointments, while the Senate Committee on Committees and the Speaker of the House will each make three appointments. It also prohibits the Governor from reappointing an individual if the Senate did not consent to their initial appointment. Additionally, the State Board of Education is required to initiate a national search for a new Secretary of Education within 45 days of the current Secretary's resignation.

The bill amends existing legal language to clarify the composition and appointment process of the State Board of Education, ensuring representation from various educational backgrounds and demographics. It specifies that the Board will consist of ten members, including two secondary students from public or approved independent schools. The bill also establishes a transition period for current Board members, allowing them to serve out their terms while future appointments will adhere to the new guidelines starting July 1, 2025. The Secretary of Education will be appointed from a pool of candidates proposed by the State Board, and the search for a new Secretary must begin promptly after a resignation. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-161, 3-11, 3-2702