Credit Where Credit Is Due

Tennessean 2/2/09

'No direct correlation'
After years of the elected versus appointed debate resurfacing in Tennessee, the state studied it in 2003. Researchers spoke with educational analysts and university experts.

The comptroller's Office of Research and Education Accountability found that neither selection process influenced students' or schools' performance. Making a direct correlation would be statistically impossible, the agency said.

The report concluded: "Those individuals closest to the classroom have the greatest measurable impact on student performance while those farther away from the teaching and learning process have less measurable impact."

Based on the article research our teachers are the ones that should be commended for "Making the Grade". They are the closest to the classroom. It has been reported by Mrs. Fox and Mr. Lewis that Smith County is among the top four counties in Tennessee. If that is the case then why are our teachers working without contracts and no pay?

'Different kind of politics'
Sumner County Commissioner Merrol Hyde has seen both systems in operation up close. Hyde was Sumner's elected superintendent from 1988 to 1992 and its appointed school director from 1997 to 2004.

As an elected school superintendent, Hyde said, he had to answer to the entire county. As an appointed director, he was subject to the political whims of a much smaller group — a board of education with political motives of its own.

"It becomes in a certain way intensely more political. You have a lot more pressure to keep a board of education happy," Hyde said. "It's just a different kind of politics."

Hyde said residents who elect mayors are also capable of picking school superintendents — and equally capable of evaluating their performance."

Gary Anderson has been a school board member in Williamson County since before the change was made to appointed superintendents. He said a person hired by the school board can be fired just as easily if a mistake is made or the person seriously under performs. The elected official gets to wait four years until the term expires.

"I would support going with an appointed superintendent," Anderson said. "The appointed superintendent answers directly to the school board and has more accountability, whereas an elected superintendent would be answering to the general public.

Appointed or elected directors both have advantages and disadvantages. Either way it comes down to accountability. The board needs to do evaluations (true evaluations) and hold our director of schools accountable for his actions on following the directions of the board based on policies and rules.

Article Link
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902020352