Governor Rowland: Number 10

WHEREAS, the Connecticut State Constitution guarantees that every school-aged child shall have the right to a free public education; and

WHEREAS, a majority of the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Sheff v. ONeill that the Hartford public schools are racially segregated and that such segregation violates the state Constitutional rights of the children in that school system; and

WHEREAS, the Sheff decision also ruled that the state legislature and executive branch have an affirmative duty to ensure that the rights of these school children are vindicated; and

WHEREAS, the Sheff decision ordered the legislature and the Governor to work together to find a solution to the problem of racial segregation in the Hartford public schools; and

WHEREAS, it is my goal as Governor to work with the legislature to find an effective solution to the problem based on voluntary measures emphasizing local and parental decision-making as opposed to state-imposed mandates such as "forced bussing"

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN G. ROWLAND, Governor of the State of Connecticut, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State, and in the spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship demanded by the importance of this matter and the Connecticut Supreme Court, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1.	That there is hereby created the Educational Improvement Panel (hereinafter Panel).
2.	That the Panel's objective shall be to explore, identify and report on a broad range of options for reducing racial isolation in our state's public schools, improving teaching and learning, enhancing a sense of community and encouraging parental involvement.
3.	That the Panel shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the legislature by January 22, 1997.
4.	That the Panel shall consist of the Commissioner of Education; the Chairman of the State Board of Education and four persons appointed by the Governor. In keeping with the spirit of the Sheff decision, the following legislators are invited and strongly encouraged to participate: the co-chairpersons and ranking members of the Education Committee. Likewise the Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader and Minority leader of the Senate are strongly encouraged to appoint two persons each.
5.	That the Panel shall be chaired by the Commissioner of Education, and shall be staffed by the Department of Education
6.	That all appointments should be made by August 8, 1996.
7.	That the Panel's chairperson(s) shall hold its first meeting by Monday, August 29,1996.
8.	That this Order shall take effect immediately.