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This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

APS Board Must Answer to More Than Minority

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    There's a growing debate over electing vs. appointing Albuquerque Public Schools board members.
    Among those in favor of the electing status quo are APS administrators and, surprise, board members. Superintendent Elizabeth Everitt says voters should have the ability to elect the school board. Board President Paula Maes says the proposal to appoint members sends a message to voters "they are not smart enough" to make the choice.
    For the less than 10 percent of voters who cast ballots in school board elections, that's gotta sting. For the 90-plus percent who forgot there was an election or can't name their board member anyway, it amounts to minority rules— vocal minorities with stakes in the school system can dictate who makes the rules.
    In favor of shaking things up with an appointed board are Mayor Martin Chávez and now the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Tired of not getting answers when potential businesses express concerns with poor test scores, schools that don't make adequate yearly progress, low graduation rates and the achievement gap— they want more accountability. Chávez has suggested the mayor appoint all seven districted seats; the chamber has suggested he appoint three at-large members to complement four elected seats. All this for no pay, little chance at higher office, late nights, endless calls and little power in how individual schools are run.
    But the APS board also sets the district's budget, policy and hires and fires the superintendent. And it should be accountable to more of the public than less than 10 percent of the voters.
    The chamber's hybrid, like Chávez's proposal, raises concerns of turning school board slots into political rewards, shortchanging the segments outside the city limits, and overloading the mayor. And it offers half a loaf of reform (complete with unwieldy super-sized districted seats) when a whole one may be warranted.
    But it also promises to de-emphasize the districted-fiefdom approach when it comes to funding, deliver at least some accountability to the doorstep of the most visible public official in town, and elevate debates on school issues to the city's highest elected office.
    Gov. Bill Richardson has said Chávez's plan "should be thoroughly debated." There's no time like the present. Legislators should take a hard look at APS' governance model and the alternatives proposed by Chávez and the chamber. Quality public education is integral to Albuquerque's youth and Albuquerque's economy— and it's too important to relegate to minority rules.