Gregoire backs off plan to eliminate state schools chief post

OLYMPIA — Washington voters won’t be deciding the fate of the state schools chief this year.

On Wednesday, Gov. Chris Gregoire said she’s no longer pressing for a ballot measure to erase the Superintendent of Public Instruc

tion from the list of statewide offices established in the state constitution.

She had raised the idea in her proposal to bring components of the state’s public education system from early learning through college into a new cabinet-level department under her control.

She envisioned most of the responsibilities of Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn being absorbed into this new Department of Education. Then he would answer to her appointee as secretary, unless, as she hoped, voters would be given a chance to eliminate the office.

That’s a moot point she said Wednesday as lawmakers won’t put the matter on the ballot.

“I think everyone believed we need to move forward and that can’t hold us back,” she said. “This is not about Randy Dorn and Chris Gregoire. This is about our children and their future.”

A spokesman for Dorn welcomed the governor’s comments though admitted this has not been a pressing worry for some time.

“We’re glad she said that,” communication director Nathan Olson said. “It has not been a concern for us. Randy has never thought that the way the governor’s bill was prepared was constitutional in the first place.”

Meanwhile, Gregoire continued pushing to get the department proposal through the Legislature even though it appears it lacks the votes to pass as crafted.

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, said she backs most of the governor’s plan.

But Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, chairwoman of the Education Appropriations & Oversight Committee, said she had to come up with a different approach than the governor’s “because I did not feel that her bill would be able to make it through.”

Gregoire said she’s aware of House members’ concerns.

“Everybody understands the system is broken,” she said. “Everybody is defending their turf. Everybody is afraid of change. That’s become very clear in the last few weeks. We cannot afford not to change. Our kids deserve better.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.