Appointed or Elected?

There is no doubt City Council’s creation of a School Board liaison position is in part a response to the voter’s requests for increased oversight of the activities of the Valparaiso School Board. At the October 13, 2008 Valparaiso City Council meeting, Council Rep. Al Eisenmenger (District 2) announced that Council Rep. Kelly Ward (District 4) has volunteered to be the School Liaison for the Council to the Valparaiso Community School Board. Currently, the Council appoints 4 of the 5 positions on the School Board with staggered terms allowing for an appointment each year during the summer. The 5th member of the School Board is appointed by the Center Township Trustee with the next appointment being in 2009.

Recent discussion regarding the continuation of the appointed School Board or the establishment of an elected School Board has resulted in State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-District 4) planning to hold public meetings to gauge public sentiment on the issue. He is also working with the Legislative Service Agency to draft a bill that will create a hybrid School Board for Valparaiso with 4 or 5 elected members, and 2 or 3 appointed members for a total of 7 School Board members. His goal is to finish the draft by the Jan. 15, 2009 deadline which allows a hearing on the bill.

Will the City Council’s School Liaison position attain adequate oversight and accountability of the School Board? If so, what are the responsibilities, expectations, and basic requirements of this position? Should the Liaison participate in Executive Sessions of the School Board? How is this plan best serving the community and children in the Valparaiso School District?

If not, will Ed Soliday’s plan for a hybrid School Board, with both appointed and elected positions, attain adequate oversight and accountability of the School Board? If so, how should Mr. Soliday pursue the bill, what should the voting districts look like, are the ratios of appointed to elected appropriate, and who gets to appoint the members? How is this plan best serving the community and children in the Valparaiso School District?