Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Structure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board members decry late budget language they say would strip elected voices from State Board
Summary
Several board members at the May meeting strongly criticized recent budget amendments that would shrink the elected State Board and increase gubernatorial appointments, calling for a standalone legislative bill and public input.
A heated exchange at the State Board’s May meeting centered on recent budget‑language changes that would alter the board’s membership and reduce the number of elected seats.
Multiple board members called the amendment—inserted into a larger budget bill without a standalone committee process—an unacceptable curtailment of local voices. Vice President Feder and several other members urged public engagement and asked for a standalone bill so citizens and stakeholders could weigh in; Member Lloyd argued the change risks underrepresenting rural and Appalachian districts and asked the superintendent to communicate the board’s preference for the existing 19‑member structure when meeting with lawmakers.
Members described the board as an institution created for local representation and cautioned that shifting to predominantly appointed membership could centralize control. Some speakers referenced ongoing appeals and litigation tied to governance changes and urged continued public advocacy. Superintendent Kraft and other appointed members responded that appointees are selected for their expertise and that gubernatorial appointees are not direction‑taking proxies, but board members stressed that reducing the number of elected members would remove many direct civic voices.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting on the structure change; board members said they intend to continue raising the issue with legislators and in public forums.
