Commissioner of education - oath - qualifications - tenure

(1) The commissioner of education shall be the chief state school officer and executive officer of the department of education. He or she shall possess the professional qualifications described in subsection (4) of this section and such additional professional qualifications as may be deemed appropriate for the office by the state board. (2) The state board shall appoint the commissioner who shall serve at the pleasure of the board, and receive such compensation as may be determined by the board. The commissioner is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105. (3) Before entering upon his or her duties, the commissioner shall subscribe to an oath of office, which oath shall be filed with the secretary of state. (4) The person appointed to the office of commissioner of education by the state board pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall, at a minimum, satisfy the following professional qualifications: (a) The person shall have demonstrated personal and professional leadership success, preferably in the administration of public education; and (b) The person shall possess an earned advanced degree, preferably in education or educational administration awarded from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. (5) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the state board shall annually review and evaluate the job performance of the commissioner, as provided in section 22-2-106 (1)(b.5), and report the results of its evaluation to the public and the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees.