Senate finalizes resolutions combining education departments

Voters would have final say in November whether to combine the state's education departments into a single department under a measure cleared by the Senate. Following a sluggish session on April 21, senators unanimously approved resolutions the following day to combine the two education departments into one responsible for overseeing kindergarten through the completion of undergraduate education. A single board would oversee the state's entire public school system.

Senate action had been stalled over arguments as to how much power the new education board should have over higher education institutions. Ultimately, the passage was assured when the version before the Senate effectively made no substantive changes in the current level of independence by the various higher education institutions. As with the existing board, the new board would not take any new powers and would continue to be subject to state law. After discussion on the size and term limit for the board, the senate decided it would consist of six members appointed by the governor and approved by the senate to serve six-year terms. No more than three members could be from a single political party. Since the resolutions would alter the state constitution, they would go on this November's general election ballot. If the resolutions pass, they would go into affect July 1, 2011.