§18-2-1 Creation; composition; appointment, qualifications, terms and removal of members; offices.
§18-2-1. Creation; composition; appointment, qualifications, terms and removal of members; offices.
There is a state board of education, to be known as the West Virginia board of education, which is a corporation and as such may contract and be contracted with, plead and be impleaded, sue and be sued, and have and use a common seal. The state board consists of twelve members, of whom one is the state superintendent of schools, ex officio; one of whom is the chancellor of the higher education policy commission, ex officio; and one of whom is the chancellor of the West Virginia council for community and technical college education, ex officio, none of whom is entitled to vote. The other nine members are citizens of the state, appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for overlapping terms of nine years. Terms of office begin on the fifth day of November of the appropriate year and end on the fourth day of November of the appropriate year. At least two, but not more than three, members are appointed from each congressional district.
No more than five of the appointive members may belong to the same political party and no person is eligible for appointment to membership on the state board who is a member of any political party executive committee or holds any other public office or public employment under the federal government or under the government of this state or any of its political subdivisions, or who is an appointee or employee of the board. Members are eligible for reappointment. Any vacancy on the board shall be filled by the governor by appointment for the unexpired term.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section four, article six, chapter six of this code, a member of the state board may not be removed from office by the governor except for official misconduct, incompetence, neglect of duty or gross immorality and then only in the manner prescribed by law for the removal by the governor of state elective officers.
Before exercising any authority or performing any duties as a member of the state board, each member shall qualify as such by taking and subscribing to the oath of office prescribed by section five, article IV of the Constitution of West Virginia, the certificate whereof shall be filed with the secretary of state. A suitable office in the state department of education at the state capitol shall be provided for use by the state board.