What's best way to fill State School Board

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and his family are well-known in national GOP circles, yet they are equally famous for a bipartisan, ecumenical approach in their deliberations and interactions. Thus, it is natural the governor is recommending dumping the cumbersome process of appointing candidates for the State School Board, and keeping it nonpartisan.

Most Western states have maintained the Progressive Era structure of nonpartisan school district and municipal offices. The day-to-day operations of these organizations (streets, sewers, zoning, building maintenance, textbooks, etc.) are not Republican or Democratic matters. This logic is especially compelling today as parties are burdened with special-interest organizations who maintain heavy influence in the convention process. There is no advantage to subjecting school officials to their demands (i.e. articulating a policy on immigration, abortion, marriage, etc.).

Our community is best served by Utahns from all walks of life who are passionate about instilling quality and accountability into our education system. I strongly doubt the efficacy of vouchers (and certainly abhor the tactics utilized by some adherents) but happily acknowledge their supporters care about the schools. The debate the voucher referendum fostered should never end. In order to compete in the 21st century, our children and future generations must have an education composition that provides accountability, higher-quality and better use of tax dollars. Partisan arguments will only distract from these important judgments.

The Legislature has a legitimate frustration with the bureaucratic machinery of the State Office (a concern I developed during my service on Capitol Hill). Yet lawmakers have the constitutional tools to push accountability and quality. Subjecting school board members to the whims of party delegates will not help them in these important endeavors.

Utah's experience with city councils and local school boards clearly demonstrates nonappointed, nonpartisan elections deliver the best supervisors of day-to-day operations. As the proud father of children actively engaged in the public education system, I share the belief with thousands of other Utah parents that representative democracy, without the shackles of partisanship, will foster needed changes to Utah schools.

• A true political hero and my mother-in-law, Katie L. Dixon, passed away last week. This self-made woman was a true force for good in local politics. As Salt Lake County recorder (1975-1995), she advocated for women and children. This tough, but always gracious, progressive Republican was beloved in all political circles. Obviously, she instilled these virtues into her daughter, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli. This community, and I, will miss her deeply.

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Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and a Deseret News managing editor. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. His spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a Utah state tax commissioner. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.