School boards would have to approve assistant state monitors

The education commissioner would need school board approval before appointing an assistant state monitor. This applies when the commissioner wants to add an assistant to a district’s state monitor. The commissioner must explain the need in writing and get a recorded yes vote from a majority of all school board members. The approval rule would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.

A state monitor would serve a 24-month term. This applies to districts whose financial or audit problems qualify them for a state monitor. The commissioner could reappoint a monitor if the problems that allowed the appointment still qualify. The commissioner must first give the district written reasons. The 12-month period would follow the monitor’s 24-month term. The commissioner would decide on reappointment when that period ends.

A state monitor could not recommend against or interfere with a student’s placement in a written special education plan, unless another law allows it. This covers placements in students’ written special education plans at districts with state monitors. Another law could allow the monitor to take part in the placement decision. This rule would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.