HB564 By Representatives Mooney, Hanes, Farley, Whorton (I), Shedd, Harbison, Henry, Whorton (R) and Crawford RFD Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Rd 1 20-APR-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, the State Superintendent of Education is appointed by the State Board of Education and serves at the pleasure of the state board.

This bill would provide for the election, term of office, and salary of the State Superintendent of Education, contingent upon the ratification of a constitutional amendment.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To amend Section 16-4-1, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the State Superintendent of Education; to provide for the election, term of office, and salary of the superintendent; and to provide for a conditional effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 16-4-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§16-4-1.

"(a) As the chief executive officer of the State Department of Education there shall be a State Superintendent of Education, who shall be appointed by the State Board of Education and shall serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Education; provided, however that the State Board of Education may enter into a contract with the State Superintendent of Education for his services for a period not to exceed four years elected for a term of office of four years by the qualified electors of the state at the same time and in the same manner as for the election of other elected state officers beginning in 2018, and every fourth year thereafter.

"(b) The Superintendent of Education shall be a person of good moral character, with academic and professional education equivalent to graduation from a standard university or college, who is knowledgeable in school administration and has training and experience sufficient to qualify him to perform the duties of his or her office.

"(c) The salary of the State Superintendent of Education shall be such amount per annum as shall be set by the State Board of Education in an amount within the range now or hereafter established by law the same as provided to other members of the Governor's Cabinet, to be paid in installments from the annual appropriation of the State Department of Education."

Section 2. This act shall become effective only upon the ratification of an amendment to Amendment No. 284 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, that would provide for the election of the Superintendent of Education by the qualified electors of the state.

Education

Superintendent of Education, State

Elections

Code Amended