California education leaders are warning against Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to strip authority from the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, calling it an ‘undemocratic power play’. The plan, which was passed as part of the state’s budget, would shift day-to-day managerial power from the superintendent to a newly created position, the Education Commissioner, who would be appointed by and report directly to the governor.

Concerns Over Accountability

Concerns have been raised that this move would undermine the accountability of the education system to voters, as the superintendent is currently an independently elected position. Sonja Shaw, the school board president for the Chino Valley Unified School District, who is running to become the state’s next superintendent, has vowed to challenge the plan in court, arguing that it violates the state’s constitution.

Other education leaders, including Steve Campos, a teacher and member of the Perris Union High School District board of trustees, have also expressed opposition to the plan, citing concerns over the timing and the potential impact on parental rights. ‘As a school board member, I am extremely disappointed in the fact that he is trying to take away the will of millions of voters who are parental rights supporters,’ Campos said.

Reaction from Current Superintendent

The current superintendent, Tony Thurmond, has also expressed disagreement with the plan, stating that while he supports the idea of the governor being directly involved in education, he believes the changes should have been made through a constitutional amendment, rather than through a budget bill.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.