Questionable process for hiring a new commissioner of education

[atommom]

I'm afraid this is going to be another political circus, with each board member appointing someone of the same ideological bent. Since we have a majority of conservatives, what kind of search committee do you think we'll wind up with?

There may be no decision more important to the future of Kansas public schools than the selection of a new commissioner of education to replace Andy Tompkins when he leaves that post in June. The people of Kansas should pay close attention to the search process employed in filling this key position.

Right off the bat, Kansans should be aware of how the board plans to review applications for the job. Rather than thoughtfully choosing members of a search committee to ensure a good mix of educators, administrators, academic experts and other stakeholders from across the state, the board has agreed that each of its 10 members will appoint one person to the committee. No qualifications were set out. The 10 appointees and one representative of the Department of Education will review applications and narrow the field that board members will consider.

What sort of search committee will this produce? It seems very likely that the search committee members will reflect the philosophical differences of the board members who appoint them. Board members might appoint search committee members from their own districts, which would provide some geographical diversity, but what other qualifications will they consider? Will they be people who are knowledgeable about state schools, teacher education, school finance and educational theory? Or will board members choose their appointees primarily based on who shares their own political/philosophical agenda?

It also would be interesting to know the quality and quantity of applications that have been received for the commissioner's job. In education circles, there must be red flags of warning waving all over the Kansas job. The state board is split ideologically with a majority of members focused on de-emphasizing the teaching of evolution and perhaps other scientific topics. The Kansas Legislature may be trying to alter the definition of "suitable" education in order to reduce the state's constitutional responsibility to fund public schools. State officials, such as Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, apparently are trying to push their own political agenda through school board members. It is not a good situation.

http://ljworld.com/section/editorials/story/199935

Here's a link to the BOE members' emails, if you're inclined to let them know what you think:
http://jgrr.blogspot.com/2005/02/state-board-of-education-emails.html