Challenging Higher Ed Decisions - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Who can challenge the Board of Higher Education on policies it approves?

Right now, nobody.

Representative Andy Maragos is proposing changing the constitution so that any vote of the state board of higher ed may be referred to voters for their approval or rejection.

Maragos says the filing of a petition suspends the action in question pending the results of the vote.

An action of the state board of higher education which is rejected by voters would be void immediately.

(Rep. Andy Maragos / (R) Minot) "If they find the policy so outrageous and against their own feeling, that they should be able to put it on the ballot and decide for themselves whether they agree or disagree with the board of education. Right now they can not do that."

The resolution needs the legislature's approval to be put on the statewide ballot in 2014.

If approved the constitution would be amended.