The Charlotte Observer has the details:
The State Board of Education is trying to put new rules on Superintendent Mark Johnson following his controversial decision to award an emergency contract of more than $900,000 to use a testing program.
State board members have questioned Johnson’s decision last month to unilaterally issue a $928,570 contract for North Carolina’s elementary schools to use the Istation program. The board on Wednesday reviewed policies that would reduce the amount that Johnson can approve for contracts and would require detailed budget reports from the superintendent.
“It positions a working relationship and a clarity and a transparency and an accountability around the use of funds against the plans and goals and expectations,” state board member JB Buxton said Wednesday. “It positions and structures the right relationship.”
You know what would be a really bad idea? Initiating WestEd’s $8 billion education reform package in an environment where the elected superintendent of public instruction and the State Board of Education play political tug-of-war. I address that issue here.
