Another Illuzzi Compromise

Senator Vincent Illuzzi (R-Essex-Orleans), of Act 82 fame, proposed a compromise to the Senate bill to eliminate the State Board of Education.  The compromise was to have the Governor appoint the Commissioner of Education but keep the Board intact.  Vermonters for Better Education called the idea "an elegant solution."  But the Senate voted to reject the amendment offered by Illuzzi and passed the bill on a 17-12 vote.

Today, the House Committee on Education will be hearing testimony from Board Chairman Tom James, Commissioner Richard Cate, and the executive directors of the Vermont School Boards Association, Vermont Superintendents Association, and Vermont-NEA -- all opponents of the measure.  Nobody else is, as of yet, scheduled to testify on the bill.  I'm confident, of course (cough, gag, choke), that Chairwoman Ancel will give it a fair hearing.

Illuzzi's compromise makes sense.  It would seem to bring some measure of accountability to the Department of Education while maintaining a degree of political independence and consistency.  Education spending is the largest part of the State budget.  The Governor should have some say in it.  I hope that some voice will emerge in the House supporting the idea.

Comments

[G. Cross]

Actually having the Governor appoint the Commissioner while maintaining the current Board of Education structure makes little sense. Appointments to the board are six year terms, except for the student members which are two year terms (the first year as a non-voting member). The Illuzzi plan would set up a situation where a new Govenor would appoint the Commissioner, who in turn will be working for several years with a majority of the board appointed by the previous Governor. Talk about a difficult political arena!

Given that public education is a state responsibility, it is best to simply let the Governor appoint a Secretary. Under such a plan the Governor can be held accountable for public schools as he/she should be. For those who are looking for accountability, a Secretary of Education is the "elegant solution".

[Curtis Hier]

I find it difficult to believe that Senators Cummings, Flanagan, Hartwell, Mazza, McCormack, Miller, Sears, and White could all vote for such a bad idea. But maybe.

So, George, why aren't you testifying on this idea? Why are you letting your successor just kill it?

[G. Cross]

Curt, in case you have not figured it out yet, there are many ways to "testify."

[Curtis Hier]

Yes, and there are a lot of ways to kill a bill too. We'll see what Ancel does.

[Retta Dunlap]

A different kind of “state board” could be worked into this model of the Governor appointing the commissioner. It would not have to have the same duties as the current state board does. It could be more of an advisory position which could incorporate the “public” into a system which is almost more important than any other function of state government - that of the education of children.

My worry is public access to education that is supposed to be “public” education. Loss of an "entity" that the public can go to instead of a state employee is of concern. A board, even an advisory one, is more accessible than the Governor or his staff, including a commissioner.