HB2067

THE CONTEXT: Governing boards are tasked with numerous statutory powers, including: 1) prescribing policies that are consistent with State Board of Education (SBE) rules; 2) managing school property; 3) prescribing curricula and criteria for student promotion and graduation; 4) constructing or purchasing school buildings and sites; and 5) using state monies to pay school district expenses. Statute also grants governing boards numerous discretionary powers, including: 1) entering into leases or lease-purchase agreements for school buildings and grounds; 2) reviewing a teacher's decision to promote, retain, pass or fail a s...

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would declares, for the purpose of carrying out official governing board functions and duties, each governing board member may access all information and records maintained by the school district, require a school district administrator, official or records custodian, on receipt of a governing board member's request for information or records, to provide the requested information or records to the governing board member within 10 business days after receipt of the request, and prohibit a school district administrator, official or records custodian, on receipt of a governing board member's request for information or records, from: a) requiring the governing board member to submit a public records request to obtain the information or records; or b) considering whether the requested information or records are relevant to any agenda item for an upcoming governing board meeting when reviewing and fulfilling a request.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give the people who rely on the rule clearer information and a defined reporting process. It would declares, for the purpose of carrying out official governing board functions and duties, each governing board member may access all information and records maintained by the school district, and would also require a school district administrator, official or records custodian, on receipt of a governing board member's request for information or records, to provide the requested information or records to the governing board member within 10 business days after receipt of the request, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.