News Sen. Ed Murray Officially Offers School Board Reform Bill
posted by on January 23 at 16:18 PM
I’m swamped. Here’s Murray’s just-released press release. I know Savage digs this. What say the rest of you?
Murray offers school board fixOLYMPIA – School closures, million dollar budget shortfalls and leadership challenges at the superintendent’s position are just a few of the struggles facing school districts today. Parents are eager for solutions, yet patience is running thin.
“There’s a lot of frustration out there,” said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who is proposing legislation to allow voters to revamp the governance structure of their school district board of directors. “There are plenty of parents who’d like to try something new at the school board level. A new structure for school boards is one way to bring about some constructive change.”
Murray’s proposal, Senate Bill 5535, would create a petition process for citizens to change their elected school board to an appointed board, and vice versa. If changing to an appointed board, the petition would determine the appointing body.
Ugh - the last thing we need is the OSPI having more power.
That's great and all, but I hate that it requires an election to change the structure. The last thing we need is more fucking process. Give the city council the authority to change the structure, and make them do it.
I am not sure how I feel about a completely appointed board. My own preference would be a hybrid board, with just over half elected and the remainder technocratic appointees selected on the basis of their expertise in relevant subject areas (budgeting, curriculum development, etc.)
I have not had a chance to check yet -- would Ed's proposal allow for that?
I'm not real thrilled with this either.
How about just funding public schools to the level the state constitution requires?
Before he wastes him time, the state's and our's, I'd be better served and much happier if Murray would promote having a Seattle City Council comprised of members representing and elected by resident voters of a district within the Seattle city limits. At this time, this is far more important than the schools, and certainly would be a prerequisite in any future school board oversite by city government.
---Jensen
Mayor Gridlock has done a great job with transportation. We need to put the same vision and skills in charge of our schools.
I'm okay with it- with the caveat that it isn't used as a "weapon". There should be a limit on how often such a change can take place. Gital: fine for Seattle yet problematic for other places since school district boundaries are not necessarily in line with municipalities.
This state has had repeated opportunities to re-energize its school system. Unfortunately, the "progressives" in state government seem to be the most enthusiastic about quashing anything by which the teachers' union feels even remotely threatened.
Anyone who would deny our right to vote is a scoundrel. Murray shares the same voter pool with some of the school board members. If the voters are too dumb to select their school board members, then they're also too dumb to select their state senator, among others.
Ed is completely insane.
Above is correct. Imagine Seattle city admin. running the schools like the do everything.
It will add 4 years to graduation.
Luigi has it.
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