From Deseret News archives:
Jilted incumbent plans write-in for state board
Because Anderson's name was not forwarded to the governor by the new State Board of Education Nominating and Recruiting Committee last month, he will not see his name on the ballot come November — regardless of his incumbency.
The governor must select school board candidates from a list of names chosen by the committee of 12, which is also appointed by the governor and has equal representation by business and education interests.
The nominating process was set up in a 1991 law, aimed partly at ensuring quality candidates for a relatively obscure yet influential body, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel reports.
Until this year, all 15 board districts had local nominating committees.
But in 2003, the panels were replaced by a single committee under an education reform law.
State school board chairman Kim Burningham expressed his concerns about the new nominating process at the state board meeting on Friday, suggesting the existing selection process needs a second look.
"The state board's greatest concern is that we achieve the best good for all of the young people in the state of Utah in accordance with the clear will of Utah's parents," said Burningham. "We call for a careful reexamination of the state board's selection process and would . . . invite our colleagues in the Legislature to join with us in a proactive discussion leading to some legislative remedy."
Burningham said that remedy could come in the form of a bill filed in the 2005 legislative session to amend the existing statute.
Anderson is a businessman of 30 years who received 68 percent of the vote last election. He is only the second incumbent in history not to clear the committee.
Mark Cluff, Alpine, and David J. Adamic, Cedar Hills, were selected by the governor last week to run for the District 12 seat.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com
