Provides relative to the membership of the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges (OR NO IMPACT See Note)
Impact
The enactment of HB 251 will modify current state laws regulating the membership and appointments of the Board of Supervisors. The bill retains the overall structure of the board, which consists of 15 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The existing criteria for member nominations from various organizations, such as the Louisiana AFL-CIO and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, remain in place, ensuring a diverse representation that balances various interests in educational governance.
Summary
House Bill 251 aims to modify the composition of the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges in Louisiana by adding new criteria for member appointments. Specifically, the bill mandates that one member must be appointed from among three candidates nominated by the Louisiana Literary Alliance. This addition reflects an effort to ensure representation from the literacy community on the board, which oversees the management of public postsecondary education institutions that focus on vocational-technical education.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be broadly supportive, as it emphasizes the importance of literacy and educational oversight. Stakeholders who advocate for improved literacy programs and vocational education likely view this change as a positive step toward enhancing the board’s capabilities to address educational needs effectively. However, there could also be lingering questions from those who fear that additional appointments might dilute other critical representations or priorities on the board.
Contention
Despite the overall positive reception, some contention may arise regarding the specific nomination process from the Louisiana Literary Alliance. Concerns could reflect the potential for politicization of such appointments or whether nominees might adequately represent diverse perspectives within the literacy community. Additionally, debates may surface regarding the extent to which such measures genuinely reflect stakeholder interests in actual governance versus simply expanding representation.
Requests that the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges and Board of Regents study and report relative to changes needed for community and technical colleges in response to COVID-19
Authorizes the La. Community and Technical Colleges System Board of Supervisors to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts at institutions under its supervision and management and permits the uniform imposition of tuition and mandatory fee amounts on a per credit hour basis (RE +$5,300,000 SG RV See Note)
Authorizes the Board of Supervisors of the Community and Technical College System to enter into contracts with private nonprofit corporations for certain services
Constitutional Amendment to provide exclusive authority to Board of Supervisors for Community and Technical Colleges over programs of public postsecondary vocational-technical training and institutions of higher education offering associate degrees but not baccalaureate degrees. (2/3 - CA13s1(A)) (OR NO IMPACT See Note)
Requests that the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges report on the status of the reconstruction and reeopening of the Sidney N. Collier Technical Division site of Delgado Community College
Requires the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges to reduce tuition amounts for students at institutions under its supervision and management