New Law Gives Broader Powers To State Board Of Education

A new law that took effect this month gives the State Board of Education the authority, in special cases, to replace local boards of ed. The law is aimed at low-performing school districts where the superintendent and local school board may be at odds.

If the district is in a federal school improvement program but failing to make progress, the State Board of Ed may require members to undergo training. Then, if deemed necessary, the State Board may authorize the Education Commissioner to terminate the local board and replace it with members appointed by the Commissioner. 

Allan Taylor, chairman of the State Board of Education, says most local school boards work well with their superintendents.   "But where the board is unwilling to support the superintendent’s efforts to bring about the change that the superintendent and the State Department of Education agree is necessary, this just provides the Commissioner with an extra very large club in his hand to use if necessary.  Our hope obviously is that it wouldn’t be"

Under the new law, a reconstituted school board would be in place for three years. Terms could be extended up to five.