Texas Commissioner of Education
| Texas Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $21,912,616,960 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Authority: | Texas Education Code, Chapter 7, Section 51 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Michael Williams |
| Assumed office: | September 1, 2012 |
| Compensation: | $186,300 |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
Michael Williams took office on September 1, 2012. Governor Rick Perry appointed Williams, who formerly served on the Texas Railroad Commission, following the resignation of long-time education officer Robert Scott.[1] Scott resigned in the summer of 2012 after the Texas Legislature decided to cut the public school budget by $5 billion.
Authority
The Comissioner's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code.
Chapter 7 Section 51:
| The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint the commissioner of education.[2] |
Qualifications
Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 51, Chapter 7:
| The commissioner must be a citizen of the United States.[3] |
Appointments
The commissioner of education is appointed by the Governor of Texas with the consent of the Senate.[4]
Vacancies
Under Article 4, Section 12 of the state constitution, "all vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of the Governor."
Duties
The commissioner of education serves as the educational leader of the state, serving as the executive officer of the Texas Education Agency and executive secretary of the state Board of Education, overseeing the state's 1,200 school districts and charter schools. The commissioner carries out duties as directed by both state agency and the state legislature.
The specific duties of the commissioner are outlined, in detail, in Title 2, Subtitle B, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Section 7.055(b) of the Texas statutes.
Divisions
- General Council
- Federal and State Education Policy
- Student Assessment
- Research and Analysis
- Educator Standards
- Charter Schools
- Discretionary Grants [5]
Historical officeholders
Since 1950, Texas has had 13 Commissioners of Education.
Click "show" for former officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Michael Williams | 2012 | Present |
| 12 | Robert Scott | 2007 | 2012 |
| 11 | Shirley J. Neeley | 2004 | 2007 |
| 10 | Felipe T. Alanis | 2002 | 2003 |
| 9 | James Nelson | 1999 | 2002 |
| 8 | Michael Moses | 1995 | 1999 |
| 7 | Lionel Meno | 1991 | 1995 |
| 6 | Tom Anderson | 1991 | 1991 |
| 5 | William N. Kirby | 1984 | 1991 |
| 4 | Raynum L. Bynum | 1981 | 1984 |
| 3 | Alton O. Bowen | 1979 | 1981 |
| 2 | M.L. Brockett | 1974 | 1979 |
| 1 | J.W. Edgar | 1950 | 1974 |
State budget
The budget for the Texas Education Agency in Fiscal Year 2013 was $21,912,616,960.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2012
In 2012, the commissioner of education was paid an estimated $186,300. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the Texas Commissioner of Education was paid an estimated $186,300 according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
Contact information
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
78701
Phone:512/463-9734
Fax:512/463-9838
See also
- Superintendent of Schools
- Michael Williams
- Robert Scott
- Governor of Texas
- Rick Perry
- Texas state executive offices
External links
References
- ↑ Star-Telegram, "Arlington's Michael Williams appointed new state education commissioner," August 28, 2012
- ↑ Chapter 7 of the Texas Education Code
- ↑ Chapter 7 Section 54 of the Texas Education Code
- ↑ Chapter 7 Section 54 of the Texas Education Code
- ↑ Staff Directory, "Divisions" accessed November 4, 2011.
- ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas , "General Appropriations Act for the 2012-2013 Biennium," accessed April 6, 2013
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved November 4, 2011
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