In his column on Tuesday David Yepsen proposed changing the manner in which school board members are elected from the current 7 at-large directors to a ward system (technically, director districts under Iowa law). I've been on both sides of this issue at various times, but think he is right for two reasons. First, it may end the friction that has developed between different parts of town. Second, with the recent change in the law the voters' fourth choice for the School Board will earn a seat on the board next year. That just doesn't seem right.
There are good arguments for keeping the election at large. Foremost is the fact that elected officials in districts and wards tend not to face stiff, if any, competition and easily get re-elected year after year. This is even true for those who really don't deserve it. Archie Brooks and Mike McPherson come to mind.
Just as important is the fact that board members elected by districts will have no reason to give a damn about schools in other parts of town and there will be a lot of horse-trading for votes on the board.
I think this sort of parochialism is much more likely on a school board than a city council or board of supervisors because allegiance to a particular school is much more intense. The physical presence of the schools and the direct link constituents have to them will be a much stronger influence than a sewer system, a social service agency or a park. This will mean a lot less concern for what is best for the school district as a whole.
One of the big criticisms of the current system is the fact that the west side of town can control the outcome of elections city-wide. This is undoubtedly true, but the fact is the east and south sides could have a much greater influence on the outcome of elections if they would bother to vote. The fact is year after year they simply don't go to the polls. I find it difficult to come to the defense of citizens who choose not to vote.
What is really interesting is the fact that the precincts that have the largest turnouts, the South of Grand area and the neighborhoods just to its north, currently do not have a representative on the school board. This year the top three vote-getters were from the northwest, the southwest and the northeast parts of Des Moines. The fourth place candidate was from the south side. You have to get to the fifth place finisher before finding a candidate from the west side; and he polled best in the southeast corners of the city. So what is the real beef here?
The real complaint is from a small group of individuals who whine the most about unfair treatment from the School Board. They cannot get their candidates elected so their solution is not to field better candidates (the ones they had this year were a joke) but to change the rules. And they may be right for the wrong reasons.
The Iowa Legislature changed the way school boards will be elected beginning in 2009. The terms will be four years instead of three and elections will be ever other year. Next year four seats are up. In 2011 there will be three seats and so on. This may lead to more volatility (if that is possible) not less. And it just doesn't seem right that a fourth place finisher should receive the same result as the first place finisher.
There is also the problem of voters having to make four choices. Most people like one or two candidates when they go to the polls, maybe three. But four? Not likely. That is a lot of information to process. This will lead to voter confusion and ignorance. The fourth place finisher could be a real wild card.
I am calling on the School Board to hold a special election to change the method of election of school board members from the current seven at-large directors to seven elected by districts beginning in 2009. The other option is three elected at-large and four elected by districts, but if we are going to do this, lets really do it.
Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind.