Up untii 1992, Clarke County's school district was overseen by an appinted school board. After an overwhelming 1990 voter approval for an elected school board, our community began electing the members of the Clarke County Board of Education.
The recent decision by the current school board members not to renew Cedar Shoals Principal Tommy Craft's contract has sparked much controversy and opinion about BOE member motives and competence.
Given the various challenges facing our school system, from the rising poverty rate to an exodus of wealthy white families, to hiring decision of school principals, one can't help but ask whether an appointed or elected school board is best.
Sure, an elected school board gives citizens a voice and power to decide who will guide their public education programs. But when so few people choose to run for the BOE seats, and when some who do have a single issue or an agenda, you have to wonder if that's the wisest choice.
Remember, too, that an appointed system gave us BOE members who were selected by county commissioners, who are elected, thus giving a level of represntation from the voters. Apppointees usually are selected based on experience, expertise, open-mindedness and level-headedness. Granted, we have elected some BOE members like that.
Still, I wonder how different our school system's situation would be if we had continued appointed members of the BOE. Would it even be any different?
If you've got an opinion on whether an appointed or elected BOE would be best, comment here or write me with your comments.
- Don Nelson's blog
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Don: My "memberer" ain't
Don:
My "memberer" ain't what it used to be, but I'm reasonably certain the school board members were appointed by the Grand Jury, not the BOC. One of the objections to this process was just the opposite of the point that you make, which was that the BOE had taxing authority, but there was no voter input at any level.
One of the counter arguments to the elected process in favor of the appointed process was that "upstanding" people would not get involved in what is essentially a no-win volunteer process if they had to participate in the election process. Some would say that prediction has come to fruit.
Given the conflicts over taxation and other matters, a BOC appointed board would be right interesting.
Was it the Grand Jury.
Was it the Grand Jury? thanks for the correction. Your points are well taken. Perhaps a combo platter from BOC and GJ.
Let me throw this
Let me throw this out.
Traditionally the superintendent was elected (although I think that was not the case in Clarke County in recent times).
What would be the consequence of returning to that model?
I believe you're right that
I believe you're right that the super was elected while the board members were appointed.
In regard to who appointed the BOE members, I am told by former Athens City Council member and Athens-Clarke Commissioner Cardee Kilpatrick that the City Council and the former Clarke County Commission nominated or appointed members who then were confirmed by the Grand Jury.
Consequence of having an elected super and an elected BOE: Turf wars to end all turf wars