Office of Ombudsman for Public Education; establishment; term.

There is established within the State Board of Education an Office of Ombudsman for Public Education, which shall be headed by an ombudsman appointed by the State Board of Education. The Ombudsman shall be a District resident within 180 days of appointment. The Ombudsman shall serve for a term of 5 years, and may be reappointed. After notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Ombudsman may be removed only for cause that relates to the Ombudsman’s character or efficiency by a majority vote of the State Board of Education. If a vacancy in the position of ombudsman occurs as a consequence of resignation, disability, death, or other reasons other than the expiration of the term, the State Board of Education shall appoint an ombudsman to fill the unexpired term within 75 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to serve as a neutral resource for current and prospective public school students and their parents or guardians in the resolution of complaints and concerns regarding public education. For the purposes of this chapter, the term “public school” means District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter schools in the District of Columbia. Section 7016 of D.C. Law 20-61 repealed D.C. Law 19-284, § 5. Applicability of D.C. Law 19-284: Section 5 of D.C. Law 19-284 provided that section 3 of the act shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register. Applicability: Section 607 of Law 17-9 provided that this title shall apply upon Congressional enactment of Title IX. Congress enacted the provisions of Title IX in Pub. L. 110-33, approved June 1, 2007.