The N&O political blog, Under the Dome, has a noteworthy post on the uncertain future of the State Board of Education (SBE). Just to recap, Governor McCrory has three immediate appointments to the SBE, including the chairperson. He will have three additional appointments later this year. These six appointments, along with Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest, will give the Republicans a majority on the board. All appointments must be confirmed by the General Assembly.
The State Board of Education is important. The NC Constitution directs the SBE to manage a public school system that represents around 38 percent of North Carolina’s General Fund appropriations and (by my estimation) 88 percent of the hopes and aspirations of children everywhere.
So, it is worrisome to hear that Governor McCrory is not ready to announce who will succeed current SBE Chairman Bill Harrison. McCrory and his advisors have had plenty of time to discuss it. Of course, it is impossible to know what is happening behind the scenes (unless you are an insider). I am not an insider, so I will have to rely on my gut. My gut, which is rather large and filled with Trans Fats, is telling me that they are not close to making these three critical appointments.
Then again, that might be the Trans Fats talking.