Bigger, partisan ed board sought

The nonpartisan State Board of Education could grow to twice its size and become subject to party politics if one legislator has his way.

Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, is drafting a bill to turn the 15-member board into a 29-member board, with voting districts replicating the Senate's. Also, state board candidates would have to declare a political party and make it through party conventions, as legislators do, if they want to run for office.

The idea is to bring more information and representation to the people, Wimmer said. Some state board districts encompass several counties.

"It's just impossible for a State School Board member to keep a thumb on the heartbeat of the area if they ... aren't even close to the area," Wimmer said. The bill "brings government closer to the people that they're serving."

Right now, school boards in Utah are nonpartisan — and they like it that way.

"Party allegiances (nationally) have become so important ... that I think it supersedes becoming accountable to the people," said State Board of Education Chairman Kim Burningham. He said he, as a former GOP legislator from Davis County, underwent eight political conventions. "I don't think you get a closer allegiance to the people (through party politics); I think you get a closer allegiance to the party leaders."

Legislators have examined state board elections for the past several years. Those elections since 1991 have involved the governor, who picks who goes on the ballot from a list recommended by nominating committees.

Lawmakers recently tweaked the process, folding 15 nominating committees into one that balances education and business interests.

Last year, the process was scrutinized after the nominating committee was organized months late, a move Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, complained limited the candidate field. Governor's education deputy Christine Kearl blamed the delay on a complicated process.

Wimmer's proposal would add to one carried last year by Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, which sought to make partisan State School Board elections, Wimmer said. SB194 was twice substituted and passed the Senate but ran out of time in the House.

Wimmer says he's still working out details regarding the governor's involvement in state board elections.

A bigger board would bring better government representation, and party affiliation would help voters identify those with similar values, Wimmer said. Without such party listing, many don't vote for anyone because they don't know who to vote for.