School board election bills fall short of board member support

"We believe this decision should not be expedited," they wrote. "It should not be predetermined. It should be meticulous, open, inclusive and thorough."

Menlove said the resolution would create a selection system similar to that currently used for the state commissioner of higher education and the president of the Utah College of Applied Technology. He did not offer a position on the resolution itself but jokingly expressed some opposition to the specific wording of SJR5.

"It literally does say the governor may terminate the superintendent," Menlove said. "I'm assuming it means 'terminate the employment' or something like that. I'm sure that is just some wording that maybe needs to be corrected. If not, I would have some concerns."

Because the resolution calls for an amendment to the Utah Constitution, the matter would need to be presented to the public in November's general election following passage by the Legislature. It also would need to clear both houses of the Legislature by a two-thirds majority vote.

E-mail: benwood@desnews.com