School elections on commish agenda

Wrote a story for Saturday - right smack here - about two proposals that are currently making their way through the state Legislature.

The issues? Whether to convert school board races to partisan contests and whether to allow for the election of superintendents.

The commission will address both matters during tomorrow's work session and could possibly vote next Monday on a set of resolutions, showing support.

The vote will be key for the issue tied to school board races, as Sen. Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, is one of the bill's sponsors and she said without local support she won't push it.

Right now the bill, along with the one dealing with superintendent elections, is pending before the Senate and House Education Committees.

Let me say that if the commission does sign off on the resolutions and these bills make it to the state floor, they are going to pass.

What that means on a local level sill remains to be seen. In order for the county to hold partisan school board races, the commission would have to approve the measure with at least eight votes. I don't know. I think it could be close, maybe 8-3 or 7-4.

The superintendent issue will be a little different. That, too, goes through the commission, and if eight board members sign off, then it goes to the voters. I'm betting the commission approves this one, if only because it likes to pass the buck. Members will say: "Well, we should let the voters decide," or "the voters should have a say," or whatever.

What happens once it reaches the ballot box? Oh, I'm betting we join Mississippi.

In more ways than one.