Tuesday, April 24, 2007

An "apolitical" Commissioner of Education?

Today's editorial in the Herald-Leader calls for an "apolitical" Commissioner of Education.

Good. And, good luck.

But, based on politics alone, the H-L's position suggest that one of the candidates might not be the best fit for Kentucky. The H-L says, "The commissioner must have the skills and ability to work with the governor and legislature without becoming embroiled in partisan politics."

One of the three finalists, Richard La Pointe, carried political water for former Virginia Governor George Allen (of "macaca" fame) when he was state superintendent in Virginia.

The Richmond Times Dispatch noted, La Pointe a former education official in the Reagan and Bush administrations "has been criticized by some in the legislature as too ideological." La Pointe backed graduation standards that reduced focus on the arts, and he supported the controversial Family Life Education program.

When a more moderate Republican Governor James Gilmore succeeded Allen he chose not to reappoint La Pointe as Superintendent. Philosophical about his disappointment La Pointe said, "I've carried out what Governor Allen has asked me to do, and I'm terribly pleased with the opportunity I had."

Newport News Daily Press lamented that "Richard La Pointe's management of the department created serious morale problems" and his replacement was moving the department "toward a moderate education policy and away from the perceived ideological bent."

This from the Herald-Leader.

Choosing an education commissioner in the shadow of a governor's race demands a laser-like focus on what's best for kids.

The state school board must pick a commissioner whose qualifications as an educator will stand up, no matter which way the political winds blow in November.

The next commissioner faces challenges aplenty: There are the perennial questions about student testing and accountability. Kentucky needs a more effective approach to helping struggling schools and must do more to attract the best people to teaching.

The state also will be looking to the next commissioner to help recharge the Kentucky Education Reform Act as it nears its 20th anniversary in 2010.

KERA shifted responsibility for overseeing the public schools from a popularly elected state superintendent of public instruction to a commissioner appointed by the state school board.The commissioner must have the skills and ability to work with the governor and legislature without becoming embroiled in partisan politics. The post has remained refreshingly apolitical through three commissioners.

The board should choose someone who is, first and foremost, an educator who can continue that tradition.

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Finalist Barbara Erwin seems to have an embattled past that does not lean toward openness with the public.

In July 2005, Erwin, received a new, five-year contract with St. Charles School District 303 (far west suburb of Chicago between Elgin and Aurora) that would have extended through June 2010.

Despite this commitment, Erwin announced in October 2006 that she would retire in July. The Daily Herald quipped, "Erwin certainly is prepared for retirement" and pointed out that she would now receive as much as $70,000 in annual pension money from districts in Illinois, Arizona, Texas, and possibly Indiana. (Indiana data is apparently unconfirmable.)

Lack of communication with the public was at issue in Scottsdale, Arizona where Erwin was once superintendent. In January, a former school board member wrote in the Arizona Republic, “We must demand that our elected officials give us information on matters of public concern…During my four years on the board, I communicated regularly with the public through every available means…No one other than former Superintendent Barbara Erwin and her cronies ever suggested my activities violated the Open Meeting Law.”

The Arizona Republic also talked about Erwin's successor in January 2006. “To appreciate how far Scottsdale Unified School District has come with Superintendent John Baracy, you've got to remember how bad things were when he got here. After years of infighting and political maneuvering, School Board meetings had devolved into shouting matches. The board president had filed a lawsuit against three of her colleagues and Barbara Erwin, the outgoing superintendent. Not to mention that 571 students -- 2 percent of the district's enrollment -- had jumped ship that year, taking $2.4 million in state funds with them. Eighteen months later, the petty squabbles have vanished. There's civility among board members, and employees now smile on a regular basis. Everyone involved in the district has learned, as Baracy says, "to agree to disagree without being disagreeable." Barcy also reduced payments to legal firms from $650,000 annually down to $200,000.
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And it seems that Mitchell Chester has never run a school, or a district, let alone a state organization? That's potentially a BIG problem. An otherwise strong Candidate pales if he can't deal with the snake pit a large organization like the Kentucky Department of Education can be.

But that being said, Mitchell does bring experience in an important area for the future of Kentucky schools. His background in value-added assessment is a major
plus. As Kentucky continues its push for high standards for all children, Mitchell's understanding of the complex nature of social science assessments may prove crucial. He seems to be open with the public and knows how to frame his responses to the press. He has been on the front line of assessment during the nation's most expansive period of school reform. IF he also possesses the necessary personality traits for leadership of a large organization...he could be the right choice. That seems less likely for La Pointe and Erwin.

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