RE: Question 1: Who's in charge?

The need for reorganization of the educational system is clear and has been well explained.  I wonder about the removal of responsibility from the elected Superintendant of Public Instruction and placing much of that responsibility with an appointed official.  What will happen when the governor fails to appoint or the appointment is not approved by the legislature?  If the Superindendant only has the role of monitor will that person end up being marginalized and ignored by the media, and therefore, by the public, legislature and governor?  Where, then, is the oversight?

To simplify education administration and create clear levels of responsibility changes are certainly needed.  Perhaps the Superintedant should have some stated roles in the new Department of Education beyond watchdog.  Give the Superintendant a directorial roll and make that position in charge of new, innovative, or grant programs, or of educational research and the dissemination of information about, and support for, model educational programs.