State Superintendent of Education, authorized to issue subpoenas and summon witnesses on behalf of department; authorized to appoint special investigators

SB 292 expands the investigative powers of the State Superintendent of Education. It authorizes the Superintendent to issue subpoenas to summon witnesses and compel the production of records for matters within the authority of the State Department of Education or State Board of Education. The bill also allows the Superintendent to appoint special investigators within the Office of General Counsel. These investigators would have general investigative powers, including serving subpoenas, accessing public school property, and reviewing relevant law enforcement records to aid in investigations, such as those concerning school employee misconduct.