(1) There is hereby created the office of the education ombudsman within the office of the governor for the purposes of providing information to parents, students, and others regarding their rights and responsibilities with respect to the state's public elementary and secondary education system, and advocating on behalf of elementary and secondary students.

     (2)(a) The governor shall appoint an ombudsman who shall be a person of recognized judgment, independence, objectivity, and integrity and shall be qualified by training or experience or both in the following areas:

     (i) Public education law and policy in this state;

     (ii) Dispute resolution or problem resolution techniques, including mediation and negotiation; and

     (iii) Community outreach.

     (b) The education ombudsman may not be an employee of any school district, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, or the state board of education while serving as an education ombudsman.

     (3) Before the appointment of the education ombudsman, the governor shall share information regarding the appointment to a six-person legislative committee appointed and comprised as follows:

     (a) The committee shall consist of three senators and three members of the house of representatives from the legislature.

     (b) The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate. Two members shall represent the majority caucus and one member the minority caucus.

     (c) The house of representatives members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Two members shall represent the majority caucus and one member the minority caucus.

     (4) If sufficient appropriations are provided, the education ombudsman shall delegate and certify regional education ombudsmen. The education ombudsman shall ensure that the regional ombudsmen selected are appropriate to the community in which they serve and hold the same qualifications as in subsection (2)(a) of this section. The education ombudsman may not contract with the superintendent of public instruction, or any school, school district, or current employee of a school, school district, or the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the provision of regional ombudsman services.

[2006 c 116 § 3.]