Editorial: Changing education

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 | 7:19 a.m.

Lawmakers are debating a proposal that would gut the state Board of Education and turn over the operation of the schools to the governor.

Senate Bill 540, sponsored by the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, would give the governor power to appoint a superintendent to oversee the state's 17 school districts. The elected 10-member board, which now appoints the superintendent, would become an advisory panel.

As Emily Richmond reported in a story in Monday's Las Vegas Sun, the bill is trying to resolve a "structural flaw" in the state's education system. The problem goes back a decade, when then-Gov. Bob Miller and the Legislature took away power from the Board of Education, turning over some responsibility to a handful of boards and commissions.

Trying to solve the problem by further watering down the board's responsibility makes no sense. There is great value in having elected officials, who are accountable to the public, oversee the schools. Allowing the governor to appoint the superintendent would open education to too much political pressure.

There have been capable members of the state Board of Education over the years, but they have been hamstrung by the system. Gary Waters, who served for 12 years on the board, said governors have made little use of the board, which he called a "tragic mistake."

Before trying to dismantle the board, lawmakers should give the board a real chance to do the job and find ways to encourage the board's full involvement.