Speaking Out on Orange County Elections : Ballot Measure on County School Chief

This Tuesday voters in Orange County are challenged to approve a liberal political activists’ conceived initiative on the ballot, Measure A. Measure A seeks to transform the Orange County superintendent of schools from an elected public office to an appointed position. If voters approve Measure A, the five-member liberal-dominated Board of Education would seize control of the office of Orange County superintendent of schools and would be empowered to appoint a new county superintendent at their discretion.

On both an idealistic and practical level, Measure A falls short. The county superintendent plays a significant administrative role in the education of Orange County’s children and should be selected by the community he or she serves.

If Orange County voters are displeased with the work of a county superintendent, they can oust him either in the general election or by a special recall election.

On the practical level, appointment is expensive. In other California counties where superintendents are appointed, boards can fire their appointments if they so chose, but often they are forced to award six-figure severance pay, draining sorely needed funds from school district budgets.

Orange County voters have a clear cut choice on Measure A. Either the office of the Orange County superintendent of schools will remain an elected position controlled by voters or the county Board of Education will seize control of the office and strengthen their grip on our children’s future.

I strongly urge Orange Countians to vote No on “A”.

THOMAS A. FUENTES

Newport Beach

Thomas A. Fuentes is Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County.