February 6, 2018, Introduced by Reps. Lower, VerHeulen, Hornberger, Webber, Kelly, Lucido, Howrylak, Bellino and Howell and referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state
constitution of 1963, by amending sections 3 and 5 of article VIII,
to abolish the existing elected state board of education, the
existing elected board of regents of the University of Michigan,
the existing elected board of trustees of Michigan State
University, and the existing elected board of governors of Wayne
State University, and to require the governor to appoint members to
the state board of education and to those university governing
boards.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state
constitution of 1963, to abolish the existing elected state board
of education, the existing elected board of regents of the
University of Michigan, the existing elected board of trustees of
Michigan State University, and the existing elected board of
governors of Wayne State University, and to require the governor to
appoint members to the state board of education and to those
university governing boards, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted
to the people of the state:
ARTICLE VIII
Sec. 3. Leadership and general supervision over all public
education, including adult education and instructional programs in
state institutions, except as to institutions of higher education
granting baccalaureate degrees, is vested in a state board of
education. It shall serve as the general planning and coordinating
body for all public education, including higher education, and
shall advise the legislature as to the financial requirements in
connection therewith.
The state board of education shall appoint a superintendent of
public instruction whose term of office shall be determined by the
board.
He or she shall be the chairman chairperson of the board
without the right to vote, and shall be responsible for the
execution of its policies. He or she shall be the principal
executive officer of a state department of education which shall
have powers and duties provided by law.
The state board of education shall consist of eight members
who shall, until December 31, 2018, be nominated by party
conventions and elected at large for terms of eight years as
prescribed by law. On December 31, 2018, the existing elected state
board of education is abolished. On January 1, 2019, the governor
shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate eight
members to the state board of education. Of the eight members first
appointed to the state board of education on January 1, 2019, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of two years, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of four years, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of six years, and
two members must be appointed for a term of office of eight years.
At the expiration of the term of office of a member, the governor
shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate a successor
who shall hold office for a term of eight years and until his or
her successor has been appointed. The governor shall with the
advice and consent of the senate fill any vacancy by appointment
for the unexpired term. The governor shall be ex-officio a member
of the state board of education without the right to vote.
The power of the boards of institutions of higher education
provided in this constitution to supervise their respective
institutions and control and direct the expenditure of the
institutions' funds shall not be limited by this section.
Sec. 5. The regents of the University of Michigan and their
successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the
Regents of the University of Michigan; the trustees of Michigan
State University and their successors in office shall constitute a
body corporate known as the Board of Trustees of Michigan State
University; the governors of Wayne State University and their
successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the
Board of Governors of Wayne State University. Each board shall have
general supervision of its institution and the control and
direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. Each
board shall, as often as necessary, elect a president of the
institution under its supervision. He or she shall be the principal
executive officer of the institution, be ex-officio a member of the
board without the right to vote, and preside at meetings of the
board. The board of each institution shall consist of eight members
who shall hold office for terms of eight years and who shall, until
December 31, 2018, be elected as provided by law. On December 31,
2018, the existing elected Regents of the University of Michigan,
the existing elected Board of Trustees of Michigan State
University, and the existing elected Board of Governors of Wayne
State University are abolished. On January 1, 2019, the governor
shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate eight
members to the Regents of the University of Michigan, eight members
to the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, and eight
members to the Board of Governors of Wayne State University. Of the
eight members first appointed to each board on January 1, 2019, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of two years, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of four years, two
members must be appointed for a term of office of six years, and
two members must be appointed for a term of office of eight years.
At the expiration of the term of office of a member, the governor
shall appoint with the advice and consent of the senate a successor
who shall hold office for a term of eight years and until his or
her successor has been appointed. The governor shall with the
advice and consent of the senate fill board vacancies by
appointment.
Each appointee shall hold office until a successor has
been
nominated and elected as provided by law.
Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be
submitted to the people of the state at the next general election
in the manner provided by law.