As intensive lobbying continues on a controversial proposal to give the School Board more power in principal-retention decisions and other matters, the bill's House sponsor says she agrees with many criticisms voiced by LSC advocates. For now, reform groups aren't budging. The reform groups want the bill held up to allow time for public hearings over the summer. Currie sees that strategy as a bid to kill the bill outright. I would feel more comfortable that delay is a better response, if I saw more willingness to do anything at all.
Reform groups deny the accusation, which they paint as political posturing.
I think that's a convenient way for politicians to get out of standing up on this, because they don't want to oppose the mayor. The Cooperative spearheaded a drive that brought about 200 parents and LSC members to Springfield this week in opposition to the bill. On substance, Currie and the reformers don't seem too far apart. The most recent draft of the bill, introduced by Currie on April 28, would allow for a review of any council's decision not to retain a principal who had been rated satisfactory or better on his or her most recent central-office review. The principal, an LSC member or the system's top executive could request the review, which would be conducted by a hearing officer from the State Board of Education.