AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) currently serves five counties, including Anderson, Henderson, Kaufman, Rains, and Van Zandt, which cover 3,963 square miles. Current law allows there to be nine members on the TVCC board.
TVCC has seen much growth in their represented areas due to annexations. As other independent school districts join TVCC's taxpaying district, they will be entitled to representation on the governing board. Currently, they would not have representation as there is a max on the number of board members.
Providing greater representation for more of the districts' residents will provide possibilities for additional educational opportunities for the TVCC service area residents. It will also encourage annexation of school districts not currently in the district, which would allow those school districts to take advantage of much lower in-district tuition and fee rates.
As proposed, S.B. 347 amends current law relating to the governing board of the Trinity Valley Community College District.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0827, as follows:
Sec. 130.0827. GOVERNING BOARD OF TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT. (a) Authorizes the governing board of the Trinity Valley Community College District to increase the number of board members to 11 by resolution or order of the governing board, notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter.
(b) Requires that a resolution or order of the governing board under this section establish transition terms of office to conform to elections held in even-numbered years and staggered six-year terms, and require the initial board members to draw lots to determine the members' terms, with five members serving terms of two years, three members serving terms of four years, and three members serving terms of six years.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.