[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 10, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3545-S3546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 2451. A bill to support the local decisionmaking functions of 
local educational agencies by limiting the authority of the Secretary 
of Education to issue regulations, rules, grant conditions, and 
guidance materials, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, with 20 kids and grandkids, I understand 
the importance and value of quality education. For many years my wife 
dedicated her life to teaching and mentoring young students, never 
knowing that in the years to come, two of our children would follow in 
their mother's footsteps, building classrooms of their own and 
impacting the lives of so many young people.
  Through my family's unique educational experiences, and my time in 
State and local government, I have learned that with teaching comes the 
great responsibility of not only working with students, but also 
parents, employers and many in the local community to ensure our 
children are well equipped for the road ahead.

[[Page S3546]]

  Nationwide, 96 percent of local school board members are elected, 
making those members accountable to the many students, parents and 
taxpayers they represent. But in recent years, the voice of this local 
authority is being eroded through inhibitive policies and requirements 
established by Federal agencies, like the Department of Education.
  Education has historically been a State and local issue. By 
strengthening the process for meaningful input by impacted 
stakeholders, our local communities can remain active in the education 
policy decision-making process.
  This is why I have introduced the Local School Board Governance and 
Flexibility Act. With this legislation, the goal is to bring control of 
our education policy back to where it belongs--with our local 
communities--giving State and local school boards the necessary 
flexibility to achieve their educational goals. S. 2451 would wrestle 
away control from the Department of Education by prohibiting the agency 
from issuing any regulations, rules, guidance materials, or grant 
conditions that would result in a conflict of authority with any State 
or local educational agencies.
  This bill would also streamline reporting requirements and would 
require the Department to provide Congress with an annual report on how 
the agency's policies impact local school districts. As we have seen, 
many of the overreaching education policy changes declared by 
Washington bureaucrats have resulted in negative effects on local 
schools, not only in terms of policy, but also financially. This bill 
requires the Department of Education to seek input on costs and 
assistance needs from State and local school agencies before issuing or 
implementing regulations, rules, guidance materials, or grant 
conditions.
  The Local School Board Governance and Flexibility Act will give State 
and local school boards a voice in how the Federal Government issues 
regulations and guidelines for education. It is time for the Department 
of Education to be accountable to the parents, teachers, and local 
elected officials who work first-hand with our Nation's children. 
Education needs are unique to each community, and in order to give the 
next generation of Americans a better future and wealth of 
opportunities, my legislation will give State and local school boards 
the authority they need to carry out the education goals that are best 
suited for their children.
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