SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5

(By Senators Sypolt and Blair)

Urging the Governor to appoint two citizen members to fill the membership positions on the West Virginia Board of Education for which the terms have previously expired.

            Whereas, Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution of West Virginia and §18-2-1 of the West Virginia Code call for the appointment by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, of nine members to the West Virginia Board of Education. The term for one of those appointees from the second congressional district ended on November 4, 2013, and the term for another of those appointees from the first congressional district ended on November 4, 2014. The Governor has not yet appointed members to fill either of the two positions for which the terms have expired; and

            Whereas, Having fewer than the full nine appointed members leaves the West Virginia Board of Education without the expertise and experience of the member or members that could be appointed. Section one, article two, chapter eighteen of the West Virginia Code requires that at least two, but not more than three, members be appointed from each congressional district, and, therefore, having fewer than nine appointed members means all areas of the state are not fully represented; and

            Whereas, At a time of unprecedented effort to make the improvements in West Virginia’s education system needed for all students to graduate prepared for post-secondary education and careers, persons with experience and expertise in educational matters representative of all areas of the state are needed on the West Virginia Board of Education. Having fewer than the full nine appointed members leaves the West Virginia Board of Education with fewer members than optimal for service on the board’s eight policy development committees and meeting requirements to fill vacancies on external boards and committees; and

            Whereas, It is the sense of the Legislature that the interests of the students, the citizens and the education system of West Virginia are best served when all of the appointed member positions on the West Virginia Board of Education are filled; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Legislature hereby urges the Governor to appoint two citizen members to fill the membership positions on the West Virginia Board of Education for which the terms have previously expired; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor.