LINCOLN- A petition drive that sought to give the Nebraska governor substantial oversight of K-12 education failed last week.

Michael Connely of York, one of the sponsors, said the effort fell short of the signatures needed to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

The organizers had sought to replace the Nebraska State Board of Education, education commissioner and Nebraska Department of Education with a new Office of Education accountable to the governor.

Under the proposal, the governor would have had authority to appoint the director of the office, subject to confirmation by a majority of state senators.

The petition sponsors had argued the change would make the department more accountable and return some of the department’s responsibilities back to local districts.

Critics, however, said the petition would have had the opposite effect, eliminating an elected board and concentrating power in the Governor’s Office.

For the full article click HERE