House Bill 851 – Micromanagement
. HB 851 requires a 2/3 majority vote to hire or fire a superintendent. Effective January 1, 2011, no board member shall use the authority of his office or position as a member of the school board, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to interfere with, request, compel, or coerce any personnel decision, including the hiring, promotion, discipline, demotion, transfer, discharge, or assignment of work to any school employee and that no board member shall use the authority of his office or position as a member of the school board, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to interfere with, request, compel, or coerce any school employee to make any decision concerning benefits, work assignment, or membership in any organization. Violating this proposed law shall constitute the crime of malfeasance in office.
. Also provides that all authority given by law to members of city, parish, and other local public school boards to hire teachers and other school system personnel other than the position of superintendent shall be delegated to the local superintendents of schools. Specifies that boards shall retain all authority to prescribe the duties and fix the salaries of and hold tenure hearings for all employees, as applicable.
. Also provides that no member of a local public school board shall be prohibited from requesting, in writing or in open or executive session of the board, the status of any personnel matter. Specifies that the requirement that the request be in writing or made during an open or executive session of the board shall not apply when the board member has knowledge of the possible or alleged commission of a crime by a school board employee. Provides that proposed law shall not prohibit a school board member from providing information on due process, grievance procedures, hearings, and tenure to any constituent of the member upon the constituent’s request.
House Bill 808 – Compensation and Benefits
. HB 808 authorizes local school board members to receive up to $50 per day for attending school board meetings or board-appointed committee meetings, with a $200 monthly limit for members or $300 for board presidents. This bill also provides for other expense reimbursement, effective January 1, 2011.
House Bill 664 – Term Limits
. HB 664 limits school board members to three consecutive terms in office, starting with the next election.
House Bill 371 – Nepotism
. HB 371 removes exceptions to existing nepotism laws regarding the employment or promotion of the family member of a superintendent employed by the school board.
