State Rep. Harold Wright introduced legislation last week that will offer voters the opportunity to change the way appointments are made to the state board overseeing Oklahoma's regional colleges.
House Joint Resolution 1070 would remove the requirement that at least one member of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma colleges come from each of the congressional districts and instead require that at least one member come from each of the counties in which the following colleges is located – East Central University, Northeastern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma. The legislation also removes a requirement that the State Superintendent of Public Instruction be a member of the board.
“My legislation will ensure that each of these regional colleges is represented on the board,” Wright, R-Weatherford said. “The board of regents make critical decisions that affect each of these colleges and it's important that the surrounding community of each have a voice.”
Wright said he sees no reason for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be on the board.
“The Superintendent of Public Instruction has plenty of duties and has a difficult time attending regular board meetings,” Wright said. “This state question will allow the people to decide whether they want to replace the superintendent with someone who has adequate time to devote to this important governing body.”
HJR 1070 also limits each member of the board to one full term of nine years.
“New blood is important in any area of government and I think this particular provision will see little opposition,” Wright said.