This bill amends the qualifications and eligibility criteria for serving as an appointed member of the West Virginia State Board of Education. It establishes that the board will consist of 12 members, including the state Superintendent of Schools, the chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission, and the Chancellor of the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, all of whom will serve in an ex officio capacity without voting rights. The bill specifies that no more than five members may belong to the same political party and introduces new eligibility restrictions, stating that individuals who are members of any political party executive committee, hold public office, or are employees of the board cannot be appointed.

Additionally, the bill outlines the political activities that appointed members may and may not engage in. Members are prohibited from running for public office, serving on political party executive committees, or soliciting political contributions, while still being allowed to make campaign contributions, attend fundraisers, and endorse candidates. The bill also stipulates that members can only be removed from office by the Governor for specific reasons such as official misconduct or incompetence, and it requires members to take an oath of office before performing their duties. Furthermore, individuals convicted of certain offenses involving minors are barred from holding office on the board.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-1