Governor John Kitzhaber sat down with Senate President Peter Courtney and House Co-speakers Bruce Hanna and Arnie Roblan on Tuesday to sign Senate Bill 1581, which will require school districts, universities and colleges to enter into achievement compacts with the state.
These compacts will make schools responsible to the Oregon Education Investment Board. The bill also identifies positions that will be under the direction and control of the Chief Education Officer. The CEO will have direction and control over the Chancellor of the Oregon University System and the Commissioner for Community College Services, among many others.
The bill was one of the four priority bills for Gov. Kitzhaber this legislative session.  The CEO does not have the authority to appoint or remove a person from a position.
This bill had previously looked like it may not survive the legislature as of late last week.