ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: ED DP 9-1-0-0 | 3rd Read 33-27-0-0

Senate: ED DP 4-3-0-0 | 3rd Read 16-14-0-0

HB 2459: schools; governing board members; employment

Sponsor: Representative Pingerelli, LD 28

Senate Engrossed

Overview

Stipulates a school district may not employ a person who served on the school district's governing board (governing board) during the preceding two years.

History

The governing body of a school district is the governing board. To run for election to a governing board, a person must be a registered voter of Arizona and have resided in the school district for at least one year immediately prior to the election. Furthermore, a currently serving governing board member cannot serve simultaneously on another governing board or run to be a member of another governing board, unless it is the last year of their term. Statute prohibits a school district employee, including a person who provides services as an employee of a third-party contractor, or the spouse of such an employee from holding membership on the school district's governing board.

If the governing board is composed of five members, immediate family who have the same household of residence within four years cannot serve simultaneously on the same governing board. Statute establishes an exception to this rule for a small school district meeting other prescribed criteria (A.R.S. § 15-421).

Finally, a governing board member's dependent may not be employed in the same school district without consent from the governing board (A.R.S. § 15-502).

Provisions

1. Prohibits a school district from employing, including employment through a third-party contractor, any individual who served on the school district's governing board during the preceding two years. (Sec. 1)

2. Allows a school district to increase the prescribed prohibition period to more than two years. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

Senate Amendments

1. Allows a school district to employ, including employment through a third-party contractor, a person who served on the school district's governing board during the preceding two years only in a position that provides services directly to students.

2. Specifies the allowable positions include a certificated or substitute teacher and an employee or contractor who provides transportation, instructional support or student support services.

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6. HB 2459

7. Initials CH/SJ Page 0 Senate Engrossed

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