Selection Process for the Long-Range Plan Steering Committee and Authorization to Explore Funding Options and Craft a Request for Qualifications

November 18, 2016

COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT

SUMMARY: This item provides the committee and board with the opportunity to: approve the selection process to be used when appointing an 18-member Long-Range Plan Steering Committee; designate a board member to explore funding options and to oversee the drafting of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ); and authorize the commissioner or his designee to execute any funding documents.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.102(c)(1).

TEC, §7.102(c)(1), requires the State Board of Education to “develop and update a long-range plan for public education.”

PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: The board in September 2016 approved a work plan crafted by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the board’s consultant, that outlines the process to be followed in creating a Long-Range Plan for Public Education.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: The board last approved a long-range plan in November 2000. That five-year report was called the Long-Range Plan for Public Education, 2001-2006. As it began to consider creating an updated plan, the board agreed to a two-phase approach. The first phase would develop the methodology to be followed in creating a new plan. The adoption in September of the work plan from BCG completed that phase of the work.

Phase II involves the actual creation of the plan. Based on the work plan recommendations, the board plans to create an 18-member steering committee. The board agreed that the committee would be composed of five State Board of Education members, including the board chair and the chair of the Committee on School Initiatives; one representative each from the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission; and 10 stakeholders to be nominated by the remaining board members.

The five board members that will serve on the committee are expected to be selected at the Jan. 31-Feb. 3 board meeting.

One possible method to be used in selecting the stakeholders allows each of the remaining 10 board members to nominate three people for possible appointment. The nominees could be selected from anyone in the state and would not be required to live in the board member’s district.

In order to provide a varied representation on the committee, the member would detail certain characteristics about the person, such as whether they:

• Live in a rural, suburban or urban area;
• Live in or represent a small, medium or large school district or charter school;
• Are an administrator, a pre-K-12 teacher, school board member, parent, education association representative, student, or business person.

Board members may recruit nominees or select from a pool of people who have nominated themselves. A nomination form will be developed and placed on the Texas Education Agency website.

Once the 10 members have nominated a total of 30 people, the five board members on the panel will select a nominee and an alternate for each position, being mindful to compose a diverse committee.

The board in this agenda item is also being asked to authorize one or more board members to begin exploring public and private funding options to finance the development and distribution of the long-range plan. In anticipation of receiving funding, the board is asked to designate a board member to work with TEA staff to draft a Request for Qualifications for a facilitator to help carry out work associated with the creation of the long-range plan. To expedite work on the plan, the board is asked to delegate contract execution authority to the commissioner of education or his designee.

FISCAL IMPACT: Unknown at this time.

PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: Students and the public will benefit from a long-range plan designed to provide a high-quality education program.

PROCEDURAL AND REPORTING IMPLICATIONS: This project will result in a new long-range plan report.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:

Approve a long-range plan steering committee selection process that allows 10 board members to nominate three people each and grants the five board members serving on the steering committee the authority to select committee members from those nominees;

Authorizes board member Marty Rowley to work with staff to develop a Request for Qualifications for a project facilitator;

Grants board members the authority to explore funding options for the project; and

Delegates contract execution authority to the commissioner of education or his designee.

Staff Members Responsible:
Jennifer Carle, Executive Director
Division of State Board of Education Support

Debbie Ratcliffe, Director of Media Relations
Division of State Board of Education Support

Attachment:
Excerpt from The Boston Consulting Group Work Plan (PDF, 42KB)