Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) President Faye Beaulieu issued the following statement that appeared on March 27, 2014 in The Dallas Morning News:
Elected school boards work best
"In
recent days, community leaders in Dallas ISD have allowed their
frustration with what they know about the performance in their local
schools to push them toward a drastic change in local governance. Those
at the helm would put before the public the opportunity to sign a
petition to replace the current nine-member elected Board of Trustees
that manages the district with a 15-member appointed board not subject
to public election or many of the Texas Education Code’s mandates. Five
percent of the district’s registered voters must sign the petition to
kick-start the change, and then 25 percent must participate in the
November general election on the proposed new system.
Rather
than stand down an elected board, can we work toward a relationship
where the city and the ISD figure out how to support each other? Can the
city partner with the district to maximize available resources? Can the
district help the city accomplish its goals to continue to attract new
business and tourism?
I urge you to look hard at the forces that would call you to “support our public schools,” and make sure their tactics are indeed in everyone’s best interests. Publicly elected school board members, accountable to those they govern, offer the best oversight for local school districts."
Faye Beaulieu, president, Texas Association of School Boards, Bedford
A Guide to Public Education from TASB Governmental Relations carries useful background on Home-Rule School Districts, and many other topics.
