Keisling Co-Sponsors Bill To Reestablish Elected Superintendent Position

Nashville, TN (2011-03-01) State Representative Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown) has added his name to a list of legislators that support a bill introduced in Nashville that would reestablish the elected office of Superintendent of Schools.

Keeping his promise to empower voters and give them a voice in local education decisions, Representative Keisling has added his name to HB 902; a piece of legislation that would give counties the right to reestablish the elected office of Superintendent of Schools.

“I am a firm believer in the principle that government closest to the people is best and this legislation does just that,” said Rep. Keisling. “When it comes to setting policy in the classroom, that direction should come from the parents, teachers, and citizens at the local level, not some far off department in Washington. I will work with my colleagues to ensure we undertake measures that empower Tennesseans and provide more local decision-making authority over matters like education.”

As written, the bill would allow citizens to decide whether or not to reestablish the elected position, which was customary practice in the Tennessee until 2000. Per the language of the bill, the county legislative body could vote, by 2/3^rd majority, to reestablish the office of elected school superintendent. If approved by the Commission, the issue would then be placed on a public referendum, giving voters the right to vote “For” or “Against” the issue. If approved by a simple majority of the public, the election for school superintendent would be held at the regular August election (presumably 2012) and the person elected would serve a four (4) year term. In the event a county had a valid contract with an appointed “Director of Schools”, it would the school board’s responsibility of the school board to satisfy any contractual obligation to an incumbent Director. A county would be prohibited from extending any contract or term of an appointed Director after a county has reestablished the elected superintendent position; however, an interim director may be appointed until the office was filled by the voters.

Per the bill, the state board of education would be charged with establishing the requirements for holding the office of superintendent; however, those requirement would include, but not be limited to: 1) holding a teacher’s professional license with endorsement as principal or supervisor of instruction; 2) hold a master’s degree with a major in education administration with studies in school organization and administration, supervision, curriculum development and evaluation, school finance, housing, and transportation, school and communication relationships, and techniques of problem solving by group process; and a five years of experience including both teaching and/or administration.

The new law would apply to only those school systems that had superintendents elected by vote of the people in office on July 1, 1992.