The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has outlived its usefulness, according to a Republican lawmaker from Napoleonville. That’s why Rep. Joe Harrison is pushing House Bill 496 to abolish BESE and shift all of its responsibilities to a beefed-up version of the state superintendent of schools. The proposed constitutional amendment would change the title of “state superintendent of education for public elementary and secondary education” to simply the “state superintendent of education.”
The position would be appointed by the governor and ratified by the Senate. As for how that might impact current Superintendent Paul Pastorek, the proposed law states that whoever is superintendent in January of 2012 would “remain in office and serve until his successor is appointed and takes office as provided in the amendment.” That individual would also be quite powerful. The new superintendent would be charged with drafting the state’s education funding formula; have control over public elementary and secondary schools; approval of certain private schools; and supervision of parish superintendents and school boards.
If approved by lawmakers, the proposed constitutional amendment would be presented to voters on Nov. 2, 2010. If it passes muster in the voting booth, then there would be no races for BESE board members during the 2011 gubernatorial elections.—Jeremy Alford
