| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 5, 2001 | Jeff Bakken (651-297-5600) |
ST. PAUL -- State Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) has introduced a bill to establish an elected State Superintendent and State Board of Education.
Buesgens believes the legislation will restore the public's voice in education policy matters.
"Taxpayers should have more of a say when it comes to their children's education," said Buesgens. "Through elections, taxpayers will be able to hold education policy officials accountable when they make bad decisions. That is not possible now."
Currently, state education policy decisions are funneled through the Department of Children, Families and Learning and its commissioner who is appointed by the governor.
Buesgens' legislation would change the name of the Department of Children, Families and Learning to the Department of Education. Instead of having an appointed commissioner, the Department of Education would be run by an elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Department would be maintained under the direction of an eight-member elected State Board of Education, representative of Minnesota's eight congressional districts. The Superintendent and Board would be up for election every four years.
"Elected education officials would have to serve the taxpayers and schools," added Buesgens. "We need advocates who are willing to speak freely on their behalf."
Buesgens, a teacher, lives in Jordan with his wife, Sara, and their four children. He represents the people of Jordan, Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Jackson, Louisville, Sand Creek and Spring Lake Townships.
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