Our Views: Term limits win in landslides

We were not surprised that local-option ballot measures on the Nov. 6 ballot to limit the terms of school board members passed easily in every Louisiana school district in which it was on the ballot, including East Baton Rouge, Orleans, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Iberville and St. Helena. Voters seem to like the idea of term limits for many public offices. Given that reality, the measures limiting school board members to 12 consecutive years of service were favored to win approval.

The newly approved term-limits measures for school board members in area parishes start with school board elections held after Jan. 1, 2014.

Significantly, the school board term-limits measures passed in areas with troubled public schools — as well as in parishes such as Ascension and Livingston, which seem to perform relatively well in statewide assessments of school performance.

Advocates of term limits for school board members argued that without such limits, school board members could become too entrenched in their positions, limiting the ability of school systems to adapt and improve.

But we’ve never been a fan of term limits for members of deliberative bodies. Such limits tend to remove as many good members as bad ones from governing boards. What’s more, voters also have the ability to vote out board members at the polls. We’d also note that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board doesn’t seem plagued by lots of members intent on staying in office. Indeed, the larger challenge seems to be retaining members — or getting a decent field of candidates to run for these positions.

We support reasonable efforts to reform public education. We rather doubt, though, that these newly imposed term limits on school board members will accomplish much.

Comments

1) Comment by [e-mail] - 10/11/2012

Poor, poor La voters; they can't ever seem to support the "Our Views" editorial staff and it's clear that they are just not smart enough.

2) Comment by Traveler - 09/11/2012

Cousin Dave: bless your heart! You have paid me such a fine compliment that I'm almost----almost----inclined to like you! The fact is, I'm not a member of the Fourth Estate. I don't work for any newspaper or news media. I'm told that you're a highly-paid employee of the Jindal administration. If that is correct, then it's clear why you defend that administration so vehemently when The Advocate criticizes it. But again, let me thank you for the compliment----I would be proud to be a journalist----but I'm not. Sigh....

3) Comment by Whatnow - 09/11/2012

I think Congress could sure use term limits the most. The best politicians that money can buy! Can we vote on that???

4) Comment by civitasiveritas - 09/11/2012

@Cousin Dave: You have got to be kidding, a guy who can't even honestly admit his nefarious ways wants to go after others? Lefty Lefkowith is such a farce, taking over $150,000 of taxpayer funds for what? He has no credentials other than being a plant from the Jeb Bush clan. He can't even accurately give his title. Cousin Dave, you ought to fly back to California, and stay there. How do you justify taking funds from the children of Louisiana for your BS?

5) Comment by Being_Stupid - 09/11/2012

Term limits for minor offices is a bad idea. We ought to be thankful that people are willing to serve. Rotating out those with experience is a bad idea.

6) Comment by Being_Stupid - 09/11/2012

Term limits for very high offices like Governor or President of the United States is understandable, but for school board and minor offices that nobody wants to do??? is not a good idea. The constituents ought to be happy that there are a few people willing to run for these thankless positions.

7) Comment by Cousin Dave - 09/11/2012

I don't think Advocate employees like traveler should be allowed to comment anonymously on the web site. At other sites like NOLA, the writers comment under their own names, answering questions nd responding to comments. I have a friend who works at the Advocate, and she says they are actually told not to comment under their own names but many comment anonymously. So much for transparency. Heaven forbid that someone from the public criticize onr of their one-sided articles or shallow editorials that spew liberal dogma. You will be subject to personal attacks that are supposedly prohibited on this site.

8) Comment by Traveler - 09/11/2012

Cousin Dave: speaking of self-importance, have you looked in the mirror lately?

9) Comment by unevahno - 09/11/2012

Louisiana elects so many pitiful politicians, that historically everybody expects it. Then we want a do-over. Then failing to get it right after 3 tries, we punt, and take the decision for electing a snake oil salesman out of ourt own hands. If we were brighter, we'd elect the best people, not just the people who promise to serve according to the bible and family values. Remember David Vitter?

10) Comment by Cousin Dave - 08/11/2012

Is there anyway that we can have a vote to impose term limits for editorial writers? They too have problems getting entrenched in their positions and hung up on their own self- importance. You guys could really use some new ideas.

11) Comment by ScotB - 08/11/2012

It is hard to beat an incumbent for any elected position. They have the advantage in name recognition and fund raising. Who wants to make them mad when they are in a position of power? In many rural parishes, the school board is one of the largest employers and that is how many board members have treated it - an employment agency for their buddies (and a place where you can't get or keep a job if you are an opponent of the board member). Term limits are needed, the folks knew it, and the results of this election show it. It wasn't just approved by the voters, it was overwhelmingly approved in every parish in the state! Teachers unions, take note. The folks want change, not the status quo.

12) Comment by InPVille - 08/11/2012

Voters have the ability to vote out bad school board members and also occupants of other political offices. But I wonder how many citizens take the time to perform the due diligence necessary to make an informed decision one way or the other on the matter. Without that being in place, the ability to vote out the bad office holders is compromised.