Three positions on the soon-to-be seven-member State Board of Education are up for election, and all of the candidates are strong. But we’re going with the incumbents, seeing no reason to oust them from office.
They have divergent views, but they’re passionate about education and have unique voices that deserve to be heard and to help balance the state board.
In the 4th Congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer was appointed to the seat last year. We don’t always see eye- to-eye with Schaffer, but he’s an important guardian for local control of schools, and rails against federal intrusion into local matters, such as No Child Left Behind. In Congress, the Republican bucked the tide by voting against the act. He’s also a supporter of charter schools and more parental choice in education.
In the 7th District, Democrat Karen Middleton is a supporter of early childhood education and a preschool-through-college system. She helped draft the bill approved by the legislature (ultimately vetoed by the governor) that would have created a statewide P-16 council. She’s committed to building strong schools with community support and isn’t afraid to voice her displeasure with state Education Commissioner William Moloney. She has called him “ineffective” and sought his resignation at a meeting earlier this year.
She’s running against Republican Lee Kunz.
In the 2nd District, Democrat Evie Hudak is unopposed.
