The Commission decided in February, 1974, that it would set an early deadline for itself within which to decide upon recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on the future role of the Secretaries established in 1972 pursuant to section 2.1-51.7 of the Code of Virginia. The subject is specifically assigned to the Commission for study and recommendations by October 1, 1975; however, Governor Godwin expressed his interest in having the Commission's views as to the Secretaries' roles at the earliest possible date.

Since February the Commission and its staff have worked closely with the Governor's Office and the Secretaries themselves in an effort to identify the deficiencies in the present Secretarial system and to devise remedies for them. The basis for initial discussion was an April 4, 1974, Commission staff memorandum on the role of the Secretaries, which is attached to this report as Appendix A.

On April 17, the Commission heard. from Carter O. Lowance, former Commissioner of Administration, and Walter W. Craigie, Jr., former Secretary of Finance, on the subject of the Secretarial system. The Governor's Senior Executive Assistant, Jack F. Davis, and the Secretary of Administration, Maurice B. Rowe, attended, and participated in, that meeting. The Commission's Subcommittee on Executive Management was directed to study and recommend job descriptions for the Secretaries to the full Commission before its May 10-12 meeting. The Subcommittee's report of May 3 consisted of five documents (one for each of five Secretaries) outlining specific powers and duties which the Governor could delegate to the Secretaries.

The Commission met in Fredericksburg on May 10-12 to discuss and refine the Subcommittee's recommendations so that the Commission could make its report to the Governor as soon as possible. The Governor's Senior Executive Assistant met with the Commission throughout its deliberations during that weekend meeting. All of the Secretaries joined the Commission on Saturday, May 11, to offer their comments and to answer questions. Recognizing that the factors peculiar to education necessitated special treatment of the job description for a Secretary of Education and consideration of the need for such a Secretary at all, the Commission invited three experts to study the issues in this area, to confer with individuals involved in the administration of education in Virginia, and to make suggestions to the Commission on May 11 on the proper role, if any, for a Secretary of Education. The three experts were: Dr. Lyman W. Ginger, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kentucky; David Hornbeck, Executive Deputy Secretary of Education, Pennsylvania; and Dr. Roy Nicks, Chancellor, University of Tennessee.

On Saturday, May 11, 1974, the Commission voted to recommend five documents listing specific powers and duties for five Secretaries to the Governor for his consideration. They are designed to provide clear job descriptions for the Secretary of Administration the Secretary of Human Affairs, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety, the Secretary of Commerce and Resources, and the Secretary of Education. Those recommendations are attached to this report as Appendix B. There follows a brief summary of their content, the reasons for their recommended format, and the justification for suggesting the appointment of a Secretary of Education and the assumption of the responsibilities of a Secretary of Finance by the Secretary of Administration.