A bill filed in the state Senate today calls for an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution to change the way public education is managed in the state.

The bill would replace the current system of a State Board of Education lead by an elected Superintendent of Public Instruction with a Department of Education housed under the Executive Branch and headed by a Secretary of Education appointed by the governor.

The bill, titled the Education Simplification Amendment, is sponsored by Sen. Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph).

If state lawmakers approve the proposed amendment, the following will go before voters in the November general election:

Constitutional amendment providing for a more efficient system of management of public education by providing for a Department of Education, which shall be headed by a person appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, and by abolishing the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The changes would go into effect in 2017.

Read SB 880:

Article IX of the NC Constitution currently reads:

Sec. 4. State Board of Education. (1) Board. The State Board of Education shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, and eleven members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly in joint session. The General Assembly shall divide the State into eight educational districts. Of the appointive members of the Board, one shall be appointed from each of the eight educational districts and three shall be appointed from the State at large. Appointments shall be for overlapping terms of eight years. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made by the Governor for the unexpired terms and shall not be subject to confirmation. (2) Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be the secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education. Sec. 5. Powers and duties of Board. The State Board of Education shall supervise and administer the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support, except the funds mentioned in Section 7 of this Article, and shall make all needed rules and regulations in relation thereto, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly.