Now is our chance. Instead of complaining about the governance of our public schools, citizens and parents finally have an opportunity to do something about it. Two transformational public education bills will be considered by the House Committee on Education on Tuesday, March 22nd.
As amended, HB 1551 will move school elections from the intentionally low voter turnout September election to the more inclusive Primary. As amended, HB 2140 will empower citizens in zoned districts, not incumbent school boards, to determine by election how they will be zoned (five zones, seven zones or five zones and two at-large).
Why are these important? Both will finally return governance of the public schools to citizens and parents, instead of those self-interested individuals and groups with the most to lose from an engaged and enfranchised electorate.
It's all about putting students first.
Potential opposition - school boards, administrators, teachers unions - are strong, organized and vocal. To counter that, we need parents and citizens to do two things:
1) Call and/or email members (often) of the House Committee on Education and implore them to vote Do Pass on both bills (see contact list below). Use your own words, and be as brief or as long as you wish. Keep your focus statewide, as this can't be seen as just Little Rock/Pulaski County issues; and
2) Bring a strong showing of motivated parents and citizens from across the state to the committee meeting on Tuesday and voice support (Capitol Room 138).
Check out the members' hometowns below. If you know someone in their respective districts, call/write them and ask them to make contact to voice support. All politics is local.
House Committee on Education
Here's what I wrote members last night:
"Members of the House Committee on Education,
"As the son of a superintendent and guidance counselor, brother to teachers in both rural and urban school districts, and father of two public school third graders, I write seeking your Do Pass support for HB 1551 and 2140.
"These bills are citizen/parent initiated, sponsored by Representative Barry Hyde, and supported by Speaker Pro Tem Pierce and other members of your committee. Both bills will be presented for your consideration on Tuesday, March 22nd.
"HB 1551 will change school elections from the low voter turnout September to the more inclusive, empowering, and enfranchising Primary.
"Self-interest groups which dominate and benefit most from low turnout elections will likely be opposed to this measure because it returns governance of the public schools to the people. As you consider this bill, I respectfully ask that you act in the best interest of the students and not those individuals and groups with a vested interest in a disengaged and disenfranchised electorate.
"It was raised today (at the March 17th Committee meeting) that the people can still vote in September. That's true, but only on school issues and candidates, only on election day (no early voting), and only at a fraction of the polling places.
"For example, in my current public school district, 1.6% of registered voters cast ballots in the last school election, compared to 49% just two months later in the General. Yes, the people can vote, but the current system highly discourages it.
"It was also raised in Committee that, currently, when all candidates are unopposed, the board can vote to not hold an election. That won't change with this bill.
"HB2140 will empower the people in zoned school districts (those with 10% or more minority population), not incumbent school board members, to determine how their respective districts will be zoned. Current Arkansas law, in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, offers three choices for zoned districts: 1) five zones; 2) seven zones; or 3) five zones and two at-large.
"This measure is time sensitive, in that following release of the 2010 census, all zones must be redrawn, with all board members standing for election. Current law only allowed/allows school boards to determine how the people will be represented. If we don't empower the people to determine how they will be represented, we likely will not have another opportunity until 2020 (the next census), the year my third graders graduate from high school.
"I am a product of Arkansas public schools in Mountain Home and Fayetteville. I am an eighth generation native of the Arkansas Ozarks (Marion, Baxter and Izard Counties). My late father was a 33-year superintendent at his alma mater, one of the smallest districts in the state.
"I share all that because the genesis of these bills is not urban, rural or in between. Their purpose is simply to again make our public school districts fully accountable to citizens and parents and put students first in all actions.
"As indicated by wide support, both bills are bipartisan, fiscally responsible, good government measures.
"I would welcome the opportunity to discuss their merits with you at any time. Also, in the spirit of the sunshine the bills intend, I am eager to publicly address any concerns raised by opposed individuals and/or interest groups.
"Thank you for your service and consideration.
"Sincerely,Gary Newton"
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