South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 3956

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A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-19-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ESTABLISH A MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH TRUSTEE MUST ATTEND SIX HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION ANNUALLY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTENTS OF THE REQUIRED INSTRUCTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE SCHOOL TRUSTEE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM MUST BE FUNDED BY THE STATE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY USE ITS OWN RESOURCES OR CONTRACT WITH PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ENTITIES TO CONDUCT THE PROGRAM.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 19, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-19-35.    (A)    The State Department of Education shall establish a mandatory continuing education program for school board trustees in which each school board trustee is required to complete six hours of continuing education annually. As part of the curriculum, the program must include training and instruction in the school laws of this State, in the laws governing the powers, duties, and responsibilities of school boards, and in educational trends, research, and policy impacting school districts.

(B)    The continuing education program must be funded by the State and conducted by the State Department of Education. The State Department of Education may use its own resources or contract with public or private entities to conduct the program.

(C)    Members of a county board of education, if they act as a governing body of a school district, are also considered school board trustees for purposes of this section.

(D)    In years that a new school board trustee attends the orientation program provided by Section 59-19-45, the requirements of this section do not apply."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and the mandatory continuing education requirement shall begin on July 1, 2007.

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