Bill would eliminate schools chief as elected job

SEATTLE — State Sen. Rodney Tom has proposed a constitutional amendment that would take the superintendent of public instruction off the ballot and make the job an appointed position.

The Democrat from Medina has taken Gov. Chris Gregoire’s idea to consolidate all education programs under one cabinet position one step further by making the leader of that new department be appointed by the governor and eliminating the elected superintendent.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn has called the governor’s restructuring proposal a smokescreen away from more important issues about state dollars for education.

Tom’s proposal is scheduled to be discussed at a public hearing next Wednesday morning in Olympia before the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.