(a)        Commission. – There is created the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to involve stakeholders in establishing high standards for North Carolina educators. The Commission shall make rule recommendations regarding all aspects of preparation, licensure, continuing education, and standards of conduct of public school educators.

(b)        Location. – The Commission shall be located administratively under the State Board of Education but shall exercise its powers and duties independently of the State Board of Education.

(c)        Membership. – The Commission shall consist of the following 18 members:

(1)        The General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, shall appoint the following:

a.         One superintendent.

b.         One principal.

c.         One dean, or dean’s designee, of an educator preparation program at a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.

d.         One dean, or dean’s designee, of an educator preparation program at a nonpublic postsecondary educational institution in North Carolina.

e.         One dean, or dean’s designee, of an educator preparation program at a historically black college or university in North Carolina.

f.          One teacher.

g.         One personnel administrator from a local school administrative unit in North Carolina with at least 30,000 students.

h.         One at-large member.

(2)        The General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall appoint the following:

a.         One superintendent.

b.         One principal.

c.         One dean, or dean’s designee, of an educator preparation program at a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.

d.         One dean, or dean’s designee, of an educator preparation program at a nonpublic postsecondary educational institution in North Carolina.

e.         One teacher.

f.          One personnel administrator from a local school administrative unit in North Carolina with less than 30,000 students.

g.         One member of the State Advisory Council on Indian Education.

h.         One at-large member.

(3)        The State Teacher of the Year.

(4)        The Superintendent of Public Instruction or his or her designee.

(c1)      Appointments and Vacancies. – In making appointments to the Commission, the General Assembly is encouraged to select qualified citizens who are committed to improving the teaching profession and student achievement and who represent the racial, geographic, and gender diversity of the State. Before their appointment to this Commission, with the exception of the at-large members, the members must have been actively engaged in the profession of teaching, in the education of students in educator preparation programs, or in the practice of public school administration for at least three years, at least two of which occurred in this State. Initial terms shall begin September 1, 2017, and shall be appointed as follows:

(1)        The members appointed pursuant to sub-subdivisions c., e., g., and h. of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and sub-subdivisions a., b., d., and e. of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section shall serve two-year terms expiring August 31, 2019.

(2)        The members appointed pursuant to sub-subdivisions a., b., d., and f. of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and sub-subdivisions c., f., g., and h. of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section shall serve three-year terms expiring August 31, 2020.

As the initial terms expire for members appointed as provided in this subsection, members shall be appointed to those seats to serve for two-year terms. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled by the General Assembly, as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 120-122, using the same criteria as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

(d)       Organization and Functioning. – The Commission shall elect a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary from among its membership. In the absence of the chair, the vice-chair shall preside over the Commission’s meetings. All members are voting members and a majority of the Commission constitutes a quorum. The Commission shall adopt rules to govern its proceedings.

(e)        Meetings. – Meetings of the Commission shall be held upon the call of the chair or the vice-chair in the absence of the chair. The Superintendent shall call the initial meeting of the Commission.

(f)        Compensation and Reimbursement. – Members of the Commission shall receive compensation for their services and reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties required by this Article at the rate prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138-5 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 138-6

(g)        Personnel. – The Commission may employ, subject to Chapter 126 of the N.C. Gen. Stat., the necessary personnel for the performance of its functions and fix compensation within the limits of funds available to the Commission. ?(2017-189, s. 1(a); 2019-165, s. 6(a).)