Friday, June 22, 2007
Willard Will
The National Association of State Boards of Education have a problem. One of the group's two candidates for president withdrew unexpectedly leaving them stuck with Ken Willard, a Kansas creationist who serves on the state school board, as the only candidate and probable next leader.
Some scientists and educators have urged state groups to write in the name of another candidate. However, the association’s bylaws make no provision for write-in votes, and W. Bradley Bryant, president of the association and parliamentarian of the Georgia state board, has told The New York Times he believes that Robert’s Rules of Order would advise treating a write-in “as a vote that was never cast.”
In a letter to board members, officers of the organization announced a review of election procedures, however, that won't be completed before balloting ends next month. The Association's officers expect to recommend changes at the group's annual meeting in October, according to the Times.
In 2005, the National Association of State Boards of Education withdrew from the selection process for Kansas education commissioner after social conservatives, who then held a majority on the board, subverted the process. After NASBE withdrew, the board appointed Bob Corkins, an anti-tax lobbyist with no previous education experience.
Some scientists and educators have urged state groups to write in the name of another candidate. However, the association’s bylaws make no provision for write-in votes, and W. Bradley Bryant, president of the association and parliamentarian of the Georgia state board, has told The New York Times he believes that Robert’s Rules of Order would advise treating a write-in “as a vote that was never cast.”
In a letter to board members, officers of the organization announced a review of election procedures, however, that won't be completed before balloting ends next month. The Association's officers expect to recommend changes at the group's annual meeting in October, according to the Times.
In 2005, the National Association of State Boards of Education withdrew from the selection process for Kansas education commissioner after social conservatives, who then held a majority on the board, subverted the process. After NASBE withdrew, the board appointed Bob Corkins, an anti-tax lobbyist with no previous education experience.
