Sec. 2.2. (a) Beginning June 1, 2015, the state board consists of the following members:

(1) The state superintendent.

(2) Eight (8) members appointed by the governor. The following provisions apply to members of the state board appointed under this subdivision:

(A) At least six (6) members appointed under this subdivision must have professional experience in the field of education as provided in subsection (b).

(B) Members shall be appointed from different parts of Indiana with not more than one (1) member being appointed from a particular congressional district.

(C) Not more than five (5) members of the state board may be appointed from the membership of any one (1) political party.

(3) One (1) member, who is not a member of the general assembly, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(4) One (1) member, who is not a member of the general assembly, appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate.

(b) For purposes of subsection (a), an individual is considered to have professional experience in the field of education if the individual has teaching or leadership experience at a postsecondary educational institution or is currently employed as, or is retired from a position as:

(1) a teacher;

(2) a principal;

(3) an assistant superintendent; or

(4) a superintendent.

(c) A quorum consists of six (6) members of the state board. An action of the state board is not official unless the action is authorized by at least six (6) members.

(d) Subject to subsection (e), the members of the state board shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson annually from the members of the state board. The vice chairperson shall act as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (d), the state superintendent shall serve as the chairperson of the state board until a chairperson is elected under subsection (d) at the first meeting of the state board after December 31, 2016, which shall be held not later than January 15, 2017. A vice chairperson shall be elected at the first meeting of the state board after June 30, 2015, which shall be held not later than August 1, 2015. This subsection expires July 1, 2018.

(f) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g), each member appointed under subsection (a)(2) through (a)(4) serves a four (4) year term. The term begins on July 1.

(g) A member appointed under subsection (a)(2) through (a)(4) may be removed from the state board by the member's appointing authority for just cause. Vacancies in the appointments to the state board shall be filled by the appointing authority. A member appointed under this subsection serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(h) The state board shall meet at a minimum at least one (1) time each month. The state board shall establish the date of the next monthly meeting during the monthly meeting of the state board. In addition to the monthly meeting required under this subsection, the state board shall meet at the call of the chairperson.

As added by P.L.224-2015, SEC.6.