Mixed reactions to education secretary proposal

CLOVIS — Local reaction is mixed on the heels of a state lawmaker proposing a bill that would eliminate the secretary of education position and replace it with a 10-member elected state school board.

“Today we have a situation where we appoint a secretary of education every time a governor comes and goes,” said Sen. Michael Padilla in regard to his new measure, Senate Joint Resolution 2. “That, to me, is alarming. We should have a licensed educator in this role, because that way, they would better understand what’s going on in the classroom every day.”

Padilla said his bill would empower the state board to hire or fire a state school superintendent. State Sen. Bill Soules is proposing a similar piece of legislation and Padilla said he would be willing to work with Soules to push the measure through. Padilla said if the bill garners approval of both the House and Senate, voters would make a decision in 2018.

Under the current mode of operation, the governor controls who serves as the state’s education chief. New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Hanna Skandera’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Padilla’s proposal.

Meanwhile, there is no shortage of opinions about Padilla’s intentions.

“If the most recent election taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected,” Clovis resident Grayson Hamilton said. “There’s going to be upheaval or attempts at such on all levels, from local to state and national. The way I see this, somebody doesn’t like the fact the governor appoints the education secretary and wants to put something else on the table. Only time will tell if it gets to the voters, but I am leaning toward the 10-member board idea.”

Ada Davis of Texico said transitioning from an education secretary to a state panel would only muddy the waters.

“I think it’s better to have a central figure leading the state education charge instead of a group of 10, who may or may not be able to agree on a singular direction,” said Davis. “Do we really want a situation where we have too many cooks in the kitchen? There are a number of other issues that hold greater importance to me, such as water conservation, job creation and finding ways to increase education funding instead of finding ways to cut back.”

Clovis resident K.A. Burns said he would be pleased with a movement to streamline the number of lawmakers in Santa Fe.

“You remember the discussions during the election of draining the swamp?” he asked. “Well, that’s what we need up there. I think there are too many politicians doing too little work while doing too much posturing. What is Padilla’s real motive for wanting to eliminate the education secretary? The bickering and sniping gets the headlines, but at the end of the day, what’s getting done?”