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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 101
(By Delegates Paxton, Perry, Pethtel, Poling Duke, Moye, Rodigherio, Romine, Wysong, Browning, Frederick, Ellis, Ireland, Stepehens, Gall, Williams, Rowan, Ennis, Fragale, Crosier, Wells, Tansill, Shaver, Sumner and Miller )

[Originating in the Committee on Education]

(March 4, 2008)

Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a study on the condition, role and function of county boards of education in terms of their responsibilities in ensuring that these local policy-making entities are best prepared to provide educational governance in the 21^st Century .

Whereas, County boards of education are statutory entities responsible for governance of the state's 55 respective school districts ; and
Whereas, County boards of education operate with various means of authority within the strictures of state laws and West Virginia Board of Education rules, regulations, policies and procedures ; and
Whereas, The Legislature and West Virginia Board of Education endorse, support and promote needed statutes, policies and procedures to ensure that Mountain State students are well-prepared and equipped to function and participate in a global, 21^st Century world ;
Whereas, County boards have the responsibility to ensure, based on guidance of statute and state Board of Education policies, rules and regulations, that students are prepared for a globally competitive 21^st Century world ; and
Whereas, C ounty boards must be most prepared to meet these objectives and through effective governance and boardsmanship, largely provided through training and development as required by West Virginia Code §18-5-1a ; and
Whereas, Statutes, West Virginia Board of Education policies, rules and regulations necessarily inform, guide and ultimately shape programs of training for county board members ; and
Whereas, County boards are responsible for providing the policy leadership necessary to guide local school districts to accomplish legislative and West Virginia Board of Education ; and
Whereas, S uch a responsibilities best entail and a thorough review of county board roles and responsibilities in terms of governance effectiveness and boardsmanship ; and
Whereas, The Legislature is the appropriate body to initiate and best discuss emergent needs in terms of county boards being able to effectively carry out roles and functions ; and
Whereas, Legislative-inspired discussions of these roles, responsibilities and function, given necessary county board member input, can help shape future policy relating to school boards in the 21^st Century ; and
Whereas, County boards, through the West Virginia School Board Association, an association representing each county board in the states, wishes to actively participate in legislatively- initiated along with invitation and input from other education groups, bodies and governmental entities as selected by the legislative leadership ; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby requested to make a study on the condition, role and function of county boards of education in terms of their responsibilities in ensuring that these local policy-making entities are best prepared to provide educational governance in the 21^st Century , including, but not limited to, recommendations for training and development, heightened understanding of role and function, possible enhancement of compensation ; and be it
Further Resolved, That the said joint committee on government and finance is requested conduct the study and prepare a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance is requested to report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation are requested to be paid from legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government and finance.