It is the intention of the legislature in creating a board of trustees for the state school for the blind to perform the duties set forth in this chapter, that the board of trustees perform needed advisory services to the legislature and to the superintendent of the Washington state school for the blind, in the development of programs for the visually impaired, and in the operation of the Washington state school for the blind.

Severability—Effective date—1985 c 378: See notes following RCW 72.01.050.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in this chapter "superintendent" means superintendent of the state school for the blind.

Severability—Effective date—1985 c 378: See notes following RCW 72.01.050.

There is hereby created a board of trustees for the state school for the blind to be composed of a resident from each of the state's congressional districts now or hereafter existing. Trustees with voting privileges shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. A representative of the parent-teachers association of the Washington state school for the blind, a representative of the Washington council of the blind, a representative of the national federation of the blind of Washington, one representative designated by the teacher association of the Washington state school for the blind, and a representative of the classified staff designated by his or her exclusive bargaining representative shall each be ex officio and nonvoting members of the board of trustees and shall serve during their respective tenures in such positions.

Trustees shall be appointed by the governor to serve for a term of five years except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of any term shall be appointed within sixty days of the vacancy and appointed only for the remainder of the term.

One trustee shall be a resident and qualified elector from each of the state's congressional districts. The board shall not be deemed to be unlawfully constituted and a trustee shall not be deemed ineligible to serve the remainder of the trustee's unexpired term on the board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts. No voting trustee may be an employee of the state school for the blind, a member of the board of directors of any school district, a member of the governing board of any public or private educational institution, a school district or educational service district administrator, appointed after July 1, 1986, or an elected officer or member of the legislative authority or any municipal corporation.

The board of trustees shall organize itself by electing a chair from its members. The board shall adopt a seal and may adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations as it deems necessary for its own government. A majority of the voting members of the board in office shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may convene from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner as prescribed in its bylaws, rules, or regulations. The superintendent of the state school for the blind shall serve as, or may designate another person to serve as, the secretary of the board, who shall not be deemed to be a member of the board.

Severability—Effective date—1985 c 378: See notes following RCW 72.01.050.

The terms of office of trustees on the board for the state school for the blind who are appointed from the various congressional districts shall not be affected by the creation of either new boundaries for congressional districts or additional districts. In such an event, each trustee may continue to serve in office for the balance of the term for which he or she was appointed: PROVIDED, That the trustee continues to reside within the boundaries of the congressional district as they existed at the time of his or her appointment. Vacancies which occur in a trustee position during the balance of any such term shall be filled pursuant to RCW 72.41.020, as now or hereafter amended, by a successor who resides within the boundaries of the congressional district from which the member whose office was vacated was appointed as they existed at the time of his or her election. At the completion of such term, and thereafter, a successor shall be appointed from the congressional district which corresponds in number with the congressional district from which the incumbent was appointed.

Within thirty days of their appointment or July 1, 1973, whichever is sooner, the board of trustees shall organize, adopt bylaws for its own government, and make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter as they deem necessary. At such organizational meeting it shall elect from among its members a chair and a vice chair, each to serve for one year, and annually thereafter shall elect such officers to serve until their successors are appointed or qualified.

The board of trustees of the state school for the blind:

(1) Shall monitor and inspect all existing facilities of the state school for the blind, and report its findings to the superintendent;

(2) Shall study and recommend comprehensive programs of education and training and review the admission policy as set forth in RCW 72.40.040 and 72.40.050, and make appropriate recommendations to the superintendent;

(3) Shall submit a list of three qualified candidates for superintendent to the governor and shall advise the superintendent about the criteria and policy to be used in the selection of members of the faculty and such other administrative officers and other employees, who shall with the exception of the superintendent all be subject to chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, unless specifically exempted by other provisions of law. All employees and personnel classified under chapter 41.06 RCW shall continue, after July 1, 1986, to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing the state civil service law;

(4) Shall submit an evaluation of the superintendent to the governor by July 1 of each odd-numbered year and may recommend to the governor that the superintendent be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or wilful neglect of duty;

(5) May recommend to the superintendent the establishment of new facilities as needs demand;

(6) May recommend to the superintendent rules and regulations for the government, management, and operation of such housing facilities deemed necessary or advisable;

(7) May make recommendations to the superintendent concerning classrooms and other facilities to be used for summer or night schools, or for public meetings and for any other uses consistent with the use of such classrooms or facilities for the school for the blind;

(8) May make recommendations to the superintendent for adoption of rules and regulations for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on property owned, operated, or maintained by the school for the blind;

(9) Shall recommend to the superintendent, with the assistance of the faculty, the course of study including vocational training in the school for the blind, in accordance with other applicable provisions of law and rules and regulations;

(10) May grant to every student, upon graduation or completion of a program or course of study, a suitable diploma, nonbaccalaureate degree, or certificate;

(11) Shall participate in the development of, and monitor the enforcement of the rules and regulations pertaining to the school for the blind;

(12) Shall perform any other duties and responsibilities prescribed by the superintendent.

Severability—Effective date—1985 c 378: See notes following RCW 72.01.050.

Each member of the board of trustees shall receive travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended, and such payments shall be a proper charge to any funds appropriated or allocated for the support of the state school for the blind.

Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.

The board of trustees shall meet at least quarterly.