Spokane7
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January 6, 2011 in City
Gregoire proposes new schools office
Superintendent calls move a power grab
OLYMPIA – All of Washington’s education systems and programs, from preschool through graduate degrees at universities, should be working together and overseen by a single office, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Wednesday.
Gregoire proposed creating the cabinet position of secretary of education – appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature – and placing responsibility for the many “silos” of education at all age levels into that office. That would include the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, a constitutionally mandated official, elected by voters every four years.
The state could eliminate the elective position, or keep it and have the OSPI report to the education secretary, Gregoire said at a morning news conference. “I’m comfortable either way.”
The current occupant of that office, Randy Dorn, is not comfortable with the idea. Wednesday afternoon he suggested it was a power grab by the governor.
“I’ve been a legislator, and every governor I’ve ever known has wanted more power. They’ve tried to abolish offices,” Dorn said in a prepared statement. “I am an elected official: My boss is the people of this state, not the governor. … Would the governor also suggest that the other elected officials report to a governor-appointed official?”
But when he ran for the office in 2008, Dorn did say that the job should not be elected, but rather appointed, perhaps by the governor.
Dorn said late Wednesday that comment came “off the top of my head” in a response to a debate question. But after two years in office and working with state education leaders who are both elected and appointed, “I think it’s definitely better to have an independently elected nonpartisan official leading education in our state.” It’s more important to focus on getting enough money for education, not who has the power, he added.
The idea met with limited support among legislators of both parties. Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, chairwoman of the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee, and Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman, a member the education and higher education committees, said a cabinet position has merit, but she wondered about details.
Gregoire said citizens tend to hold governors responsible for the quality of the state’s education, even though authority is actually spread out and a governor only has direct control over the Department of Early Learning: “If I am ultimately responsible, let me be responsible.”
The change was among a series of education proposals Gregoire unveiled Wednesday. She also said schools need to expect more of high school seniors, turning 12th grade into a “launch year” in which students take more rigorous classes that count toward college credit or apprenticeship programs that would lead to jobs.
More state residents should earn bachelor’s degrees because most new jobs will require that level of education, she said. State colleges should have more authority to raise tuition when the Legislature does not provide enough state money, but the tuition must be tied to the levels of peer schools, and state scholarships and grants must also be expanded.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
DHF on January 06 at 5:54 a.m.
While she is at it, why not get rid of Department Of Social And Health Services and Consolidate that. We dont need any more high paid Secretary position’s (appointed Hacks) .We already have a Superintendent of Public Instruction that The People voted in.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on January 06 at 7:03 a.m.
thank you for your article… as a 67 year old who is a volunteer chef at Shalom Ministries/United Central Methodist serving the homeless and the low income and the “Community College Students” on limited budgets.. There are more than a few students here in Spokane dedicated enough to their education to be sleeping in their car and dining a la “Breakfast at Sally’s”.. they are to a one motivated, persistent and oriented toward the good that their leg up onto the ladder the CCS here in Spokane gives them.
I was horrified to read the vilification spewed on this absolutely essential part of our education system. There is likely another agenda here, because in my experience with youth in over 40 years as a mentor/volunteer in a wide variety of programs Community Colleges made a great difference in many many lives. The Governor should be ashamed, if she is not already enough ashamed at balancing the budget on the backs of the mentally ill and low income. Dr. John A Olsen Spokane 509 220 4534
ZagChuck on January 06 at 8:37 a.m.
This is clearly just another Liberal power grab designed to undermine the vote of the people while growing the depth, breadth, width, and scope of government and its’ control.
John “Gus” is right: the Governor should be ashamed, and there is something else going on here.
I’d bet if we follow the money and the power we’ll find the answer.
Rest assured the answer is NOT about serving students or the community.
Ninch on January 06 at 9:25 a.m.
Apparently, many are not aware of the several education departments already existing in our state government bureaucracy. I can see why Gregoire would make this proposal… but I wonder if consolidating these departments and boards will end up with a monster of incompetency like the federal Homeland Security, which effectively neutered FEMA.
Many also did not realize that the Superintendent of Public Instruction is mandated by our state constitution.
liarsinnews on January 06 at 10:40 a.m.
Gregoire loves to increase the bloat in Olympia. She is the worst kind of spend thrift.
ZagChuck on January 06 at 1:19 p.m.
@Ninch, “but I wonder if consolidating these departments and boards will end up with a monster of incompetency like the federal Homeland Security, which effectively neutered FEMA.”
“Many also did not realize that the Superintendent of Public Instruction is mandated by our state constitution. ”
Last things first, Many did not realize the SPI is constitutionally mandated…. Another sign of education gone VERY wrong in our state, at EVERY level.
“but I wonder if consolidating these departments and boards will end up with a monster of incompetency like the federal Homeland Security, which effectively neutered FEMA.”
These departments and boards are ALREADY a monster of incompetency and failure! (See HS Drop-Out Rates) (See Tuition Rates) (See Rate College Graduation in timely manner) (See Educational Debt) (Etc, etc, etc)
Gregoire would just add an additional layer, and provide a bureaucrat and support staff WITHOUT the oversight of an electorate.
Additionally this position already exists, as an elected official; The SPI, as mandated by our constitution. All we need to do is CUT the BLUE tap, remove about half of the “middle management” and “Dept Supervisors” and reduce the costs. At the same time, we can focus on which individuals and programs are successful, keep them and build on it, cut the rest and go from there.