Say Anything Blog

That’s the reaction I have to this bit of teary-eyed whining (via the Fargo Forum) from ND Dems Communications Director Rick Gion:

Yesterday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Wayne Sanstead sent a letter to Gov. John Hoeven calling for the veto of House Bill 1169. As you know, that bill removes the teacher requirement to be superintendent. It’s politically motivated and The Forum agrees.

A news story today states Hoeven plans on signing the bill. You would think our governor wouldn’t buy into cheap political maneuvers. Well, those of us that have been around the Capitol this legislative session know that Hoeven has become extremely partisan. Just look at the last two news conferences he did. No Dems invited to those.

The attorney general has to be a lawyer, right? So, shouldn’t the superintendent of public instruction have to be a teacher?

What a stupid comparison.

The Attorney General is, literally, the state’s attorney.  He/she represents the State of North Dakota (or someone in the AG’s office does) in all criminal and civil matters.  Thus, he has to be a lawyer.  You can’t practice law without being a lawyer.  It’s, well, the law.

But the Superintendent position is different.  You aren’t actually teaching anyone.  Instead you are an administrator who manages the state’s schools and applies policies set by the state legislature.  A much different situation.  Is teaching experience something that should be considered by voters when electing a superintendent?  Well sure, but I don’t see where it need be required.  After all, college administrators aren’t required to be qualified as teachers in this state.  Nor are the people who serve on the state’s school boards or the people (legislators) who write the laws that govern the schools.

I suspect the leftists (including the uber-liberal Fargo Forum editorial staff) are just upset because someone who isn’t a teacher being elected as superintendent would mean someone in charge of the schools who isn’t beholden to the teacher’s unions.  Meaning that it would break up the public education cabal that the left loves to exploit for lots and lots of campaign cash and political clout.

Leave it to the Dems to care more about politics and money than sound education policy.