Bill To Make SBOE Elections Non-Partisan Part Of SBOE Reform Package

State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) today pre-filed a backage of reform legislation which she says will change the way elections for State Board of Education members are conducted, citing a political controversy surrounding one of the board’s 15 elected members reinforcing the need to take ideology and partisanship out of the SBOE races.

“The current system is obviously not working as well as our students, parents, teachers, and taxpayers deserve,” Howard said. “SBOE districts are some of the geographically largest districts in the state, yet these races attract little public attention and candidates have a hard time raising money to communicate their message. Voters go to the polls armed with minimal information on the issues and end up casting their ballot based on party affiliation. It’s time to encourage candidates to run more independently so voters can make informed decisions.”

HB 420 would amend the definition of “independent candidate” in the Texas Election Code to include State Board of Education Candidates; under the bill, political parties would no longer nominate candidates for the posts, and the races would be on the ballot as separate, non-partisan contests.

Currently, one SBOE member, Cynthia Dunbar, has been under strong criticism as a result of bizarre comments revealing her extreme ideological partisan bias against public education..

“The idea that Texans – if provided with information on the issues – would elect someone who has publicly declared the state’s education system ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘tyrannical’ is absurd,” Howard said. “We value our children’s education too highly.”

Howard, a former local school board member who ran for the SBOE earlier in this decade, said the SBOE plays a critical role in decisions regarding curriculum and public education resources. Their duties include establishing the “essential knowledge and skills” to be taught in each subject area and grade level, approving and purchasing textbooks, and managing the $17.5 billion Permanent School Fund (PSF).

Howard’s reform package will also include a measure to improve the effectiveness of the PSF’s organizational structure by transferring oversight from the SBOE to an independent body. Unlike the Permanent University Fund, there are no requirements for financial expertise for those who manage the fund. Currently, the board as a whole receives guidance on investments from a private firm they hire (and fire). In addition, each individual member can appoint a personal financial advisor to serve at their pleasure.

A member of the House Higher Education Committee and a recognized leader on public education issues, Howard said she will file the rest of her reform package in the days ahead. The legislative session convenes on January 13, 2009, at the State Capitol in Austin.