Senate Bills Could Have Wide Impact on Tennessee Elections and Directors of Schools

The 108^th Tennessee General Assembly is in Session and there have been a significant number of Bills introduced for consideration. Two Bills that will have widespread impact on voters in Tennessee came from District 8 Senator Frank Niceley. Senator Niceley has sponsored a total of 47 Bills since January 30, 2013, including SB0471 and SB0916.  Introduced early in the Session, SB0471 calls for a revision in the manner that candidates for United States Senate seats are placed on the ballot in the November General Election. Under Niceley’s Bill, candidates for the General Election would come from nominations by each party’s legislative members, rather than the current process where candidates qualify via petition and each party holds a Primary Election to determine their representative in the General Election. As introduced SB0471, eliminates Primary Elections and presents voters with one choice from each major Party. The Bill would only apply to Republican and Democrat Parties and no write in votes for those Parties would be recognized. It is co sponsored by Senator Ketron (District 13) and has a House companion sponsored by Representative Brooks (District 24). Both the Senate and House forms of the Bill have been referred to Committee for review.

SB0916 would allow for the reinstatement of elected Superintendents, replacing Director of Schools. The process would require a 2/3 vote of the County or City Legislative Body and go before the citizens for vote. If approved by the voters, it would be included in the August Regular Election. The Bill calls for a four year term for the office of the Superintendent of Schools, which would take office on September 1^st, following the August election. Should a Director of Schools be under contract when the vote is confirmed to elect a Superintendent and still under contract on September 1^st following the election, it is the responsibility of the County or City Legislative Body to satisfy any contractual obligation of the incumbent Director of Schools. Also included in the Bill are limitations to extended contracts, making an extended contract only available to fill a leave of absence and removing the School Board Members from consideration for teaching positions or any other position under the Board that carries a salary or compensation. SB0916 redistributes the responsibility for hiring and transfer of school system employees, which is currently the responsibility of the Director of School. Under the new Bill, the School Board would have the responsibility of approval of recommendations from the elected Superintendent of Schools for transfer or hire of employees. SB0916 has a House companion sponsored by Representative Keisling (District 38) and both have been sent to their respective Education Committees.

Currently, there are no amendments to either SB0471 or SB0916.