Radical Changes Unlikely under new Superintendent | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post is Dr. Terry Stoops, who is director of research and education studies for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

    The election of Donald Trump and the drama surrounding North Carolina's gubernatorial race have overshadowed down-ballot, comparatively low-profile Council of State contests.

    Republican Mark Johnson narrowly defeated Democrat June Atkinson in the race for superintendent of public instruction. Johnson is an attorney, a member of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth school board, and a former public school educator. Atkinson worked for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction since 1976 and has served as state superintendent for the past 11 years.

    Given the longstanding Democratic hold on the office, some conservatives have called on Johnson to unilaterally overhaul North Carolina education policy. But like other Council of State offices, the North Carolina Constitution places numerous constraints on the authority of the officeholder.

    Indeed, the state constitution grants the State Board of Education - not the superintendent of public instruction - power to "supervise and administer the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support" and "make all needed rules and regulations in relation thereto, subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly."

    The lieutenant governor, state treasurer, and 11 appointed members of the State Board of Education, who are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly, are voting members. The state superintendent is not. As the "secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education," the superintendent acts primarily as a liaison between public schools and members of the state board.

    Currently, eight of the 11 appointed members of the State Board of Education, including the chairman and vice chairman, were appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory. The terms of the remaining three members expire in March. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will continue to serve on the board, and Treasurer Dale Folwell will be seated in January. As such, Republican-supported members will retain a 10-3 advantage unless resignations occur or the legislature delays confirmation of one or more gubernatorial nominations.

    Additionally, large Republican majorities in the General Assembly ensure the state will continue to advance commonsense education reforms, such as raising teacher pay, strengthening accountability, increasing educational options, granting school districts budgetary and operational flexibility, and boosting literacy in the early grades. Johnson and members of the State Board generally support these efforts.

    Aside from addressing mandates from the State Board and the legislature, one of the more daunting responsibilities for the superintendent is leading DPI. It's no small task.

    DPI is a complex department with several hundred employees, who perform a wide variety of functions. The department oversees the state testing program, district and school finances, teacher licensure, digital learning, student information management, residential schools for the deaf and blind, research and reporting, academic standards and curricula, management of federal funds and grants, assistance to charter schools and the Achievement School District, and other tasks assigned by the State Board and the General Assembly. While state law dictates the department is "(s) ubject to the direction, control, and approval of the State Board of Education," the board traditionally defers to the superintendent in staffing, budgetary, and organizational matters.

    Constitutional and statutory handcuffs aside, state superintendents have a card up their sleeve - the power of the soapbox. In recent years, Atkinson has used her soapbox to criticize the expansion of private school choice for low-income and special-needs children, state spending on public schools, and other legislative decisions. Johnson is likely to use his much more prudently.

    Without a doubt, Mark Johnson will bring a fresh perspective to the office of superintendent of public instruction. Just don't expect that perspective to translate into immediate, large-scale changes to North Carolina education policy.