THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 31, 1995 TAG: 9507280025
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Bold letters announcing ``Electing school board members hasn't led, where it's been tried, to better education'' (editorial, July 19) invited readers to discover why electing boards is not a solution but a problem. Until 1992, only 49 states had tried elections - all but Virginia. Clearly, those citizens did not see how our ``good old boy'' system would improve education.
I agree that education is too much about politics and too little about pedagogy - whether boards are elected or not. Across the commonwealth, sitting board members enjoy isolation from the public. Elected officials have rewarded themselves for their political faithfulness. Too little consideration has gone into qualifications, diversity and potential contributions. Once sworn in, they forget their political benefactors and the taxpayers alike.
I wish the Norfolk citizens who sense the need for change every success. It will be a tough battle. In the end, board members who vote to throw millions at this problem or that will have to consider how the voters will regard their capriciousness. Today they answer to no one except the educational hierarchy, who go to great lengths to mold their decisions for the benefit of - you might have guessed - the hierarchy.
EDWARD WEIDNER
Chesapeake, July 20, 1995 by CNB