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Politics

Elect or appoint? Answer on Nov. 7

School Board members hear the arguments about both ways of filling the school superintendent's job. Currently, Pasco elects its schools chief. Most large districts appoint.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published September 27, 2006

LAND O'LAKES - It all comes down to a question of what fits.

Bill Montford, chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, told the Pasco County School Board that residents know best whether an elected or an appointed superintendent works for them.

"We feel strongly it depends on the community," he said at the workshop Tuesday evening.

Pasco voters get to decide Nov. 7 whether to keep the position elected, or allow the School Board to appoint the superintendent, as most large school districts do.

Montford, who served as the longtime superintendent of Leon County schools, declined to recommend one alternative over the other at the workshop.

But he did lay out the arguments generally used on both sides of the debate. Among the arguments in favor of an elected superintendent:

- Public schools belong to the people, and the public should maintain control of schools via the exercise of the right to the ballot.

- Since they are chosen by the people, elected school superintendents are closer to the electorate and are more likely to be responsive to their needs and desires.

- Elected school superintendents are independent and not subject to the agendas of individual School Board members.

- An appointed school superintendent could be chosen as a "puppet" for School Board control.

- The control of public schools by the people should not be exchanged for the promise of greater efficiency.

- Appointing school superintendents could open avenues for high rates of turnover and abuses of power in office.

Montford said the arguments in favor of an appointed superintendent include:

- The School Board members, who are elected, are better able to pick a superintendent than the voters because they establish qualifications for the job, can pick a candidate from anywhere, and can set the salary themselves. Also, it is sound business practice to allow a board of directors to select the chief executive officer.

- The time and efforts of an appointed school superintendent are spent on education. Elected school superintendents run for office while they are running the schools.

- Appointing school superintendents helps take schools out of partisan politics.

- An elected school superintendent and an elected School Board claim different mandates from the people, causing confusion and conflict. Under an elected school superintendent, responsibility is diffused.

Whether elected or appointed, Montford said, a superintendent needs to show good leadership skills, be able to work with the School Board and the community, communicate with the media, demonstrate good judgment, and develop and manage a budget.

Just before the School Board workshop, members of a committee assembled with the help of Pasco Parents for Quality Schools and Community came together to produce a neutral, one-page flier outlining the issue for Pasco voters. They hope to meet Thursday and complete the flier by Friday or Monday.

ON THE BALLOT

The Nov. 7 ballot will ask Pasco voters:

Shall the Office of School Superintendent be appointive by the School Board to take effect upon expiration of the term of the incumbent Superintendent elected to that office at the general election held November 2, 2004 or upon the office becoming vacant during such term?

[Last modified September 26, 2006, 22:39:45]