Meet the new board, same as the old board

The old guy

The new guy



Governor Beverly Perdue has finally submitted the names of her nominees to fill the vacant expired spots on the State Board of Education.  Loyal readers will recall that the terms of two of the board's district representatives expired back in March, but those members have continued to serve due to a quirk in the law that the Perdue administration believes somehow trumps the Constitution's defined eight-year terms (see, "What's that smell?  SBE appointees WAY past their expiration dates," charternation, August 7th).  Board Chairman Bill Harrison's term also expired in March, yet he gavels on.

So to replace State Education District One's Jean Wooland the governor has chosen--Jean Wooland.  And to replace Chairman Bill Harrison, the guv's pick is--Bill Harrison.  Only district seven's Tom Speed is actually rotating off.  If Perdue gets her way, William Woltz would take his place (more about him in the coming days). 

After all, why change personnel when things are going so swimmingly (cough, cough, EOGs, cough, cough)?

The legislature is scheduled to consider these appointments during its September mini-session, and if they are approved the three anti-charter amigos would serve until 2019 (eight year terms, remember?).  That's six and one-half years into the administration of any pro-charter governor who might possibly be elected to replace Perdue in November of 2012. 

On the other hand, suppose the legislature doesn't vote to approve them?  Maybe they just leave those names and positions out of the appointment bill, just lets them continue to serve, waiting to see what happens on election day?  Then a new governor could nominate replacements upon taking office in January of 2013, get some people of his own choosing on the board right away...just say'n. 

Pat McCrory, are you out there?  Might want to give Speaker Tillis and Senate President Berger a call.