First Substitute S.B. 119

Senator Howard A. Stephenson proposes the following substitute bill:

1 SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS AMENDMENTS
2 2011 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson
5 House Sponsor: Merlynn T. Newbold
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies qualifications for a district superintendent of schools.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . provides that at the request of a local school board, the State Board of Education
13 shall grant a letter of authorization permitting a person with outstanding
14 professional qualifications to serve as superintendent without holding an
15 administrative/supervisory license; and
16 . makes technical amendments.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 This bill provides an immediate effective date.
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 53A-3-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapters 231 and 315
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

26 Section 1. Section 53A-3-301 is amended to read:
27 53A-3-301. Superintendent of schools -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Term --
28 Compensation.
29 (1) A local school board shall appoint a district superintendent of schools who serves
30 as the local school board's chief executive officer.
31 (2) [(a) The] A local school board shall appoint the superintendent on the basis of
32 outstanding professional qualifications.
33 [(b) The] (3) A superintendent's term of office is for two years and until a successor is
34 appointed and qualified.
35 [(3)] (4) If it becomes necessary to appoint an interim superintendent due to a vacancy
36 in the office of superintendent, [then] the local school board shall make an appointment during
37 a public meeting for an indefinite term not to exceed one year, which term shall end upon the
38 appointment and qualification of a new superintendent.
39 [(4)] (5) (a) The superintendent shall hold an administrative/supervisory license issued
40 by the State Board of Education, except as otherwise provided in Subsection [(4)] (5)(b).
41 (b) [A local board of education may] At the request[, and] of a local school board, the
42 State Board of Education [may] shall grant[,] a letter of authorization permitting a person with
43 outstanding professional qualifications to serve as superintendent without holding an
44 administrative/supervisory license.
45 [(5) The] (6) A local school board shall set the superintendent's compensation for
46 services.
47 [(6) The] (7) A superintendent qualifies for office by taking the constitutional oath of
48 office.
49 Section 2. Effective date.
50 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
51 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
52 Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
53 the date of veto override.