Elected chairman isn't 'ideal'

Editor:

As a School Board member in Columbia County, it gives me great concern that one of our representatives would consider introducing legislation that would change a governing body without first having a suitable dialogue with its members.

At a meeting with the delegation in December, the Board briefly discussed this issue with the delegation and voiced our opposition. Moving to a countywide elected chairman would not be the ideal form of representation for the citizens of Columbia County.

First of all, other than presiding over meetings and establishing the meeting agenda, the chairman has no greater constitutional power than any other member. Secondly, a good board member knows that he or she is elected by district, but once in office our responsibility is to do what is best for all students in Columbia County.

A countywide Chairman brings too much politics to the table. If you get a bad chairman, you are stuck for four years. The chairman should not have any greater authority than any other board member.

Lets keep politics out of our educational system. We just need our representatives to work on the funding shortfalls, joining us in ensuring academic success for all students and putting prayer back in our schools.

Lee Muns

Columbia County School Board member

District 5

Martinez