Dive Brief:

• Louisiana's House Education Committee approved two different pieces of legislation calling for elections when choosing Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education.

• Current law in the state sees the superintendent appointed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), but the new legislation would see the position included in statewide elections.

• A two-thirds majority would be required for either bill to become law, but the second bill would also require a public vote due to its proposed amendment to the state's constitution. 

Dive Insight:

According to Nola.com, for those who are in favor of an elected superintendent the second bill — which calls for a change in the constitution — would be preferable. By having the public vote on a change in the constitution, Gov. Bobby Jindal,  who is opposed to electing the superintendent — can't veto the measure.

The idea of a superintendent being elected versus appointed is not unique to Louisiana. The state used to elect its Superintendent of Education; however, there began to be confusion over who was actually in charge with both BESE and the superintendent elected by the public. Additionally, according to an editorial in 1985 by The American Press, the election system led to many politicians being the state’s superintendent and not necessarily educators.