S.68 proposes an amendment to the state constitution to make the Superintendent of Education appointed by the Governor rather than an elected office. The Department of Education is an executive branch and its head should therefore be answerable to the Governor. The people should hold the governor accountable for the actions of the Superintendent. Moving the Education Superintendent under the governor is just the first of a number of needed education reforms which include transferring the powers of the unaccountable state board of education and education oversight committee to the currently weak Department of Education. It’s worth noting however that while a step in the right direction, this bill would leave some power over the Superintendent in the hands of the legislature by allowing the Senate advice and consent to the Governor’s appointment, and by allowing the General Assembly to set the qualifications of the office.
(related S.69, S.120, and H.3041)