|
 Statement
by State Board of Education President Kathleen N. Straus
in Response to the Governor Asking State Superintendent to
Resign
Kathleen N. Staus, Michigan State Board of Education,
January 19, 2005
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“The State Board
of Education wants a strong leader and advocate for public
education. Tom Watkins is both of these.
“As I stated at the January 11 State Board of Education meeting,
the contract extension signed January 3, 2005 by Tom Watkins,
myself, and Board Secretary Carolyn Curtin under the Board’s
authority, is binding on both parties until January 2006. Most
importantly, under our state’s Constitution, the Board appoints
the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who then is the
principal Executive Officer of the Michigan Department of
Education and Chairman of the State Board.
“The members of the Board are statewide elected officials who,
in the performance of their Constitutional duties, are expected
to exercise independent judgment. Tom Watkins is an excellent
leader and administrator. His work has been recognized with very
positive evaluations by the Board over the past three years. He
is highly-regarded by educators, business leaders, parents, and
the general public.
“For him to be terminated under the present circumstances would
compromise the State Board’s Constitutionally-protected autonomy
and system of checks and balances. Other members of the Board
and I strongly support Tom and hope he fulfills the terms of his
contract.”
Kathleen N. Straus, President
State Board of Education
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