84R2124 KKA-D
 
  By: González H.B. No. 405
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate training
  provided to members of a school district board of trustees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 11.1591 to read as follows:
         Sec. 11.1591.  TASK FORCE ON MEMBER TRAINING. (a) A task
  force is established under this section to evaluate training
  provided to members of a school district board of trustees and the
  effect of that training on developing effective board of trustees
  leadership.
         (b)  The task force shall be composed of members appointed by
  the commissioner. In making appointments, the commissioner shall
  ensure that the task force includes board members, superintendents,
  representatives of regional education service centers involved in
  providing training to board members, a representative of the State
  Board of Education, a representative of the agency, and members of
  the general public.
         (c)  A representative of the agency designated by the
  commissioner shall serve as the presiding officer of the task
  force.
         (d)  The commissioner shall appoint the members of the task
  force not later than December 1, 2015.
         (e)  The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
  the task force on or before January 1, 2016. The task force shall
  meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
  are appropriate. The task force shall adopt rules necessary to
  fulfill the task force's duties under this section.
         (f)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  task force.
         (g)  The task force shall evaluate whether training
  currently provided to board members:
               (1)  enables board members to effectively make
  decisions about school district budgets and other local school
  financial matters;
               (2)  clearly delineates board member roles in guiding
  educational policy and promoting student achievement without
  engaging in daily administrative and financial details;
               (3)  provides tools for board members,
  superintendents, schools, and the community to create successful
  district-wide initiatives and achieve active parental engagement;
  and
               (4)  prepares board members to establish a climate of
  cooperation between the board members and superintendent that
  promotes a caring environment for students while maintaining high
  expectations.
         (h)  The task force shall prepare a report that includes:
               (1)  a description of the activities of the task force;
               (2)  the findings and recommendations of the task
  force, including any proposed policy recommendations; and
               (3)  any proposals for legislation or other matters the
  task force considers appropriate.
         (i)  Not later than September 1, 2017, the task force shall
  deliver the report required by Subsection (h) to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and the chair of the State Board of Education.
         (j)  The task force is abolished and this section expires
  December 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.