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School Boards Welcome Input and Concerns

Posted on: Sunday, 15 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By Patti Harrington

The voice of my friend John Florez was heard some days ago in his column (Opinion, Jan. 2) suggesting that our school boards, state and local, may no longer be useful or may be bogged down by committee structures.

I respectfully disagree. Your school boards are a vital voice for you in the operation of Utah's schools. Their work is active, innovative and even seen with some envy nationwide, as our schools are some of the nation's finest. Indeed, Utah's high school diploma, unlike some across the nation, is so well-respected that it is accepted by every higher education institution across the nation. This is the result of the good work of boards of education over many years.

Leadership boards give guidance and oversight to banking, manufacturing, entertainment, technology -- virtually every corporate business. These appointed boards, composed of vested parties, bring broad expertise, know-how, experience and understanding to the work of the organizations they represent. Their job is to listen to consumers, help establish, guide and guard the vision, seek innovation and ensure accountability.

The framers of Utah's Constitution wisely placed a leadership board over public education. Mistakenly, some believe that the Utah Legislature is governing education, or the only one making "tough" decisions. It is true that the Legislature allocates budgets for public and higher education, including many line item budgets. As "money talks," it may appear, therefore, that the Legislature controls education.

It is also true that the Utah Legislature initiates legislation regarding education each year. Some examples include the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS), many licensure matters and specifics like the Carson Smith bill, which passed in the 2005 session.

Public education is, indeed, a state's duty, set apart as such by the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It is totally expected, then, that a state legislature would be keenly involved in governance of education, while respecting and delegating many matters to the state board of education, which has direct oversight and accountability.

But there is also much goodness in our schools that comes directly from the mind of the Utah State Board of Education. Examples of state board-initiated work include the initial reading program for our youngsters in kindergarten through third grade with standards and ongoing assessment, the establishment of the Electronic High School, which now handles over 4,350 enrollments annually, and the organization of millions of data elements now at work to provide 24/7 access to student performance information for parents, students and teachers. Indeed, when it comes to assessment, technology and data access, Utah is one of the top five states in the nation.

This is due to clear board leadership and committed action on the part of the Utah State Legislature -- a partnership forged around a common agenda.

Local boards, too, breed innovation and ensure excellence.

State educational leadership, of course, includes higher education. The USBE has just formed an alliance with higher education in order to work together to create common expectations of high student performance, including graduation requirements. This is entirely consistent with the two-year study of the USBE on this matter, and Utahns will shortly see how mutual ideas and sharing of information will yield dividends to our students in both public and higher education. Their common agenda will undoubtedly call for higher standards of performance and an enriched culture in the state for academic rigor and accountability of schools, educators, parents, and students.

We are fortunate that school boards across the state are filled with your neighbors and friends who have voluntarily determined to serve their communities and be active in making positive contributions to our state's economy and society. I am grateful to serve such a board of committed individuals. They, like your local board, welcome your input, advice and concerns. If you do not know who your representatives are, please consult www.schools.utah.gov to find both your state and local representative.

Patti Harrington is the state superintendent of public instruction.

Source: Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

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