Senate committee passes bill giving more authority to superintendents

An education bill to provide superintendents with the authority to select principals and curriculum in consultation with site-based decision-making councils passed the Senate Education Committee Thursday.

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator John Schickel (R-Union), passed committee by a vote of 9-1.

“This bill gives the final say on curriculum to the citizens of the community,” Schickel said. “Our school boards are elected by the citizens of the community. And at the end of the day, it’s the superintendent who we hold accountable for the performance of our schools. In this legislation, the areas of curriculum and principal selection – the two most important factors in determining whether or not a school succeeds – will be in the hands of the taxpayers and the parents of the children in that school system.”

Dr. Sallee Sugg, Superintendent of Shelby County Public Schools, also testified in favor of Senate Bill 1, arguing that superintendents need the ability to make the final decision when it comes to selecting principals and determining curriculum, after collaboration from the councils and other stakeholders.

The measure now moves to the full senate for consideration.

Stay tuned to The Bottom Line for more updates.