Last week, Senate Republicans including President Andy Biggs, and representatives Don Shooter, Jeff Dial, Sylvia Allen, Steve Pierce, Debbie Lesko, Kimberly Yee, and Bob Worsley joined Democrats in passing a measure that would kill chances for meaningful fiscal reforms in public education on the county level.
Currently, a person is eligible for election as county superintendent if that person holds a standard teaching certificate in Arizona. County school superintendents are elected for four year terms at regular general elections.
Education advocates have been trying to push for a removal of the education and certification requirements in order to open the mostly administrative position up to candidates with a financial or business management background. Instead Senator David Bradley’s bill, S1125 (county school superintendent; qualifications; administrators) adds a provision that expands the eligibility requirements to include an administrative certificate issued by the State Board of Education or the Arizona Department of Education.
The measure passed the Senate on a 24-5 vote.