OFFICIAL TITLE

 

TEXT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1. Article XI, section 3, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

3. State board of education; composition; powers and duties; compensation

Section 3. The state board of education shall be composed of the following members: the superintendent of public instruction, the president of a state university or a state college, three FOUR lay members, a member of the state junior college board A PRESIDENT OR CHANCELLOR OF A COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT, A PERSON WHO IS AN OWNER OR ADMINISTRATOR OF A CHARTER SCHOOL, a superintendent of a high school district, a classroom teacher and a county school superintendent. Each member, other than the superintendent of public instruction, to SHALL be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate in the manner prescribed by law. The powers, duties, compensation and expenses, and the terms of office, of the board shall be such as may be prescribed by law.

2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article XXI, Constitution of Arizona.

 

ANALYSIS BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Arizona Constitution creates a State Board of Education consisting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and 8 members appointed by the Governor: the president of a state university or college, a superintendent of a high school district, a classroom teacher, a county school superintendent, three public members and a member of the state junior college board. The powers and duties of the State Board of Education are established in state statutes, and include exercising general supervision over and regulating the conduct of the public school system. The successor agency to the state junior college board was eliminated in 2003.

Proposition 105 would amend the Arizona Constitution by changing the membership of the State Board of Education. The member of the state junior college board would be replaced by a president or chancellor of a community college district. Two additional members would be added: one additional public member and one owner or administrator of a charter school.

ARGUMENTS "FOR" PROPOSITION 105

As parents we value the educational choices that Arizona allows. However, when our choice is a chartered school, that school does not have representation on statewide policy-making boards. Since our children's schools will be governed by the policies set by the Arizona State Board of Education, we believe all public schools should have representation on that board.

Regardless of who authorizes or sponsors a charter school, regardless of who is charged with ensuring compliance with state and federal regulation, the State Board of Education makes the governing policies that chartered schools must follow. It is an American tradition that governance depends on representation. As parents we believe charter school children and families should be represented. Therefore there should be one charter school representative on the State Board of Education.

Margaret Roush-Meier, Flagstaff Sandy Breece, Lake Havasu City Rick & Sharon Ogston, Yuma Leo & Marty Condos, Chandler Sandy Houston, Phoenix Paid for by "Leonidas and Martha Condos"

As the preeminate voice for charter schools in Arizona, the Arizona Charter Schools Association recognizes the unique challenges that face charter schools in the state. Charter representation on the State Board of Education will assist in better decision-making. Moreover, charter schools are public schools and as such are entitled to representation on the public boards that set policies that govern them.

10% of public school students are enrolled in Arizona's 493 tuition free publicly chartered schools. One out of four public schools in Arizona is a chartered school. Together these schools represent a diverse population of over 500,000 staff, parents, businesses and students. They deserve representation on the State Board of Education.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association

Debra Slagle, President, Arizona Charter School Association, Phoenix Cuyler Reid, President-Elect, Arizona Charter School Association, Glendale Paid for by "Arizona Charter School Association"

To the voters in Arizona

It is vitally important that everyone support Proposition 105. This proposition will allow for a charter operator to be placed on the State Board of Education. This is vital because it is important for all students and parents in the state of Arizona to be represented on a board that makes decisions about all students in our great state. Students and parents involved with Charter schools need top be represented. Charters schools are an intragral component of a high quality public school system in Arizona.

Steven John Childress , Operator of SC Jensen Charter dba Intelli-School®, Phoenix

ARGUMENTS "AGAINST" PROPOSITION 105

The Secretary of State's office did not receive any arguments "against" Proposition 105.