[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Support Your Local Superintendent

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Support Your Local Superintendent
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1227718771.shtml


   We elect Minnesota Supreme Court justices. We elect County Sheriffs.
   We elect District Attorneys and Attorneys General. These are all
   important, powerful positions. Many run their entire department
   without any Council, Board or Trustee supervision. Why not do the same
   for public school district Superintendents?
   There would have to be a number of structural changes in the position.
    1. The Superintendent of the Future (SOTF) would have no power to
       tax. Funds are limited to current State funding and local
       donations. The latter includes payments from the host cities
       served by the district.
    2. As such, there is no further need for an elected School Board.
    3. The term is four years, on the same cycle with the Governor
    4. The SOTF cannot sign or renew any contracts effective beyond one
       year after the end of the current term.
    5. The SOTF is paid per a Legislated formula based on district size
       and demographics. There is no merit pay or bonus plan. The SOTF
       cannot accept donations. There is no severance or accrued hours
       paid at the end of the term.
    6. The SOTF continues to report to State agencies, primarily the
       Department of Education and the State Auditor.
    7. There is no certification required.
    8. The Department of Education, with the approval of the Governor,
       may place a troubled district into Receivership, removing the
       incumbent. The Governor will appoint an interim SOTF and call for
       a special election for a replacement if necessary.

   Don't forget that the State already regulates these districts heavily,
   and may increase that further here.
   I like the idea of the member cities paying the district, i.e. they
   would set the property tax levies as part of their own budgets. If the
   district operates within just one city, like Minneapolis and Brooklyn
   Center (286), it's really no change at all.
   For districts serving multiple cities, however, this could create some
   healthy competition. If a city truly values a local school, it can
   raise its contribution accordingly, and that's not wrong for
   neighborhood schools are a strong drawing card for attracting new
   residents.
   Notice I also dispense with licensing. Anyone can get elected State
   Attorney General, and with good executive skills could do an
   exceptional job via good hiring and management. The same would clearly
   apply here.