Supe to Leg: Fix this schools mess

June Atkinson, North Carolina's elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, has asked the legislature to fix a confusing legal and administrative tangle in which she's chosen by the state's voters to run N.C. schools, but the State Board of Education has the authority to choose not only its own chair but also designate a person to run schools on a daily basis.

Speaking to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee Monday afternoon, Atkinson said she had written House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight asking the legislature to "bring clarity, accountability and transparency to public education governance."

Atkinson asked the legislature to take one of two courses:


Option 1: First, change laws to give the State Superintendent authority to manage and lead the Department of Public Instruction and to carry out the policies of the State Board of Education without interference. In so doing, restore the system of check and balance by making the State Board responsible for policies governing and directing public education. Honor the constitution.
OR

Option 2: Bring forth a constitutional referendum proposing that the State Superintendent be appointed by the State Board of Education. Include in that referendum that the State Board members be appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the General Assembly for staggered four-year terms. Staggered four-year terms would give greater authority to the Governor in guiding the direction of public education. Currently, State Board members serve for staggered eight-year terms. A Governor has to serve eight years to be able to appoint all board members unless a board member voluntarily resigns.

Should Option 2 be the choice of the General Assembly, I ask that you address the role of the State Superintendent for the next four years according to our North Carolina Constitution and according to the peoples’ vote.

She added, "I respect the position of anyone who opts for either of the proposals I have presented. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Either will work better than our current laws. Either will honor the provisions of the Constitution."

And, she told the committee, "the people and the children deserve a governance system that is constitutional and that does not mislead the public."

She's right about that.