SLS 11RS-2410 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 87
BY SENATOR MURRAY
BESE. Requests BESE to establish a public process for filling the position of state
superintendent of education.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a2
process by which to select a state superintendent of education that is open and3
accessible to the public and utilizes a committee composed of representatives of the4
general public, community organizations, and other education stakeholders to assist5
in the search and review process for potential candidates for the position of state6
superintendent of education.7
WHEREAS, the state superintendent is constitutionally established as the8
administrative head of the Department of Education and charged with the responsibility of9
implementing the policies of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in10
accordance with state law; and11
WHEREAS, in carrying out his constitutional and statutory duties and12
responsibilities as the head of the state's public education system, the state superintendent13
exercises tremendous influence and control over the educational outcomes of more than14
700,000 students enrolled in 1,427 public schools; and15
WHEREAS, identifying and selecting a suitable, qualified candidate to fill the16
position of state superintendent of education is undoubtably the most important function and17
responsibility of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; and18 SCR NO. 87
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WHEREAS, the critical nature of this decision behooves the board to engage the1
statewide community in a collaborative process when selecting a state superintendent of2
education, an individual whose actions will have a life-long impact on every child enrolled3
in a public school in this state; and4
WHEREAS, the creation of a committee to assist the State Board of Elementary and5
Secondary Education in developing guidelines and procedures to be followed in determining6
who will be interviewed for the position of state superintendent of education would be7
invaluable to the board and provide a mechanism for the public to have input into selecting8
the individual who will fill this powerful and consequential statewide position.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby10
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a11
process by which to select a state superintendent of education that is open and accessible to12
the public and utilizes a committee composed of representatives of the general public,13
community organizations, and other education stakeholders to assist in the search and review14
process for potential candidates for the position of state superintendent of education.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary16
Education shall create an advisory committee to assist in the board's search for a state17
superintendent of education and that such committee shall be composed of representatives18
of the general public and community organizations, and shall include representatives of the19
following organizations:20
(1)The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.21
(2)The Council for a Better Louisiana.22
(3)The Louisiana School Boards Association.23
(4)The Louisiana Association of Educators.24
(5)The Louisiana Federation of Teachers.25
(6)The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the27
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.28 SCR NO. 87
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Murray SCR No.
Requests BESE to develop a process by which to select a state superintendent of education
that is open and accessible to the public and utilizes a committee composed of
representatives of the general public, community organizations, and other education
stakeholders to assist in the search and review process for potential candidates for the
position of state superintendent of education.
Resolves that the BESE shall create an advisory committee to assist in the board's search for
a state superintendent of education and that such committee be composed of representatives
of the general public and community organizations, and include representatives of the
following organizations:
(1)The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana.
(2)The Council for a Better Louisiana.
(3)The Louisiana School Boards Association.
(4)The Louisiana Association of Educators.
(5)The Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
(6)The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools.