Superintendent Search Shows Need for Elected Boards

The most important task that the Board of Education undertakes is the selection of a new Superintendent. The Superintendent is the one who ultimately makes the day-to-day operating decisions regarding school policy and school operations. Last time around the Board of Education gave us Eric Smith, and in the minds of many that decision was either a good one or a bad one. But his departure gave us a vacancy, and I think that the current Board should be commended for the openness of this particular selection process.

Ultimately though, it is the Board of Education who selects the Superintendent. The new leader's successes are the Board's successes, and the new leader's failures are the Board's failures. And this is just another reason to have a fully elected Board of Education. Board members should be accountable for the selection that they make. If the members pick a wonderful Superintendent, I am sure that the members would be rewarded at he ballot box. If they make a bad choice (or a Superintendent who abandons the school system as Eric Smith did), then they will have to answer to the voters for their decision.

The choice of Superintendent is the most important decision the Board makes. Ultimately, the public should have the opportunity to voice their approval or disapproval with their selection.