Truitt must focus on quality N.C. schools, not hot-button college sports issues

It is no accident that North Carolina’s state Constitution – in place since 1868 -- mandates the election of the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction as the “chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education” as it fulfills its responsibilities to “supervise and administer the free public school system.”

The Constitution’s framers – mostly Republicans by the way -- wanted an independent voice for the state’s children and public schools – not a political appointee beholden to a governor or subject to whims and wishes of the legislative leaders.

“I cannot see how any intelligent North Carolinian could object to the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. A Superintendent must be had to carry out any well devised system of public instruction … Upon education depends future success, and if in the next 10 or 12 years the children of the people were permitted to grow in ignorance, they would be better qualified from crime than the duties of an American citizen. It would cost the State far more in jails and Courts, than it would to educate them. All that I desire for the present is to have a school in every nook and valley of the State,” said G. William Welker of Guilford County.

So, why is it that Catherine Truitt, the current state Superintendent, has taken to social media to echo the latest partisan talking points in the quest for divisive election-year wedge issues?

 “The rules intended to protect women’s sports are failing to do so and our daughters are the ones who are unfairly impacted. This isn’t right,” she said in comments about college swimming competition.

What does North Carolina’s school superintendent have to do with collegiate athletics? Nothing. It’s just one of the hot-button issues pushed by her political patrons.

There’s been near silence from Truitt when it comes to the most significant issue facing public education in the state today – and for the last quarter century. That of course is implementation of the N.C. Supreme Court’s order to obey the state Constitution’s mandate to provide every child with access to a quality education.

Where do you stand, Superintendent Truitt? How are you displaying the advocacy and independence anticipated by the Republicans who wrote state’s Constitution? How are you upholding their call for a quality public education for every child?

Where do you stand on making sure the Comprehensive Remedial Program the opposing parties in the Leandro case agreed to and that a court has ordered, is implemented?

Who have you designated to replace Beverly Emory as executive director for Leandro Implementation? Emory, by the way, was named a 2021 Champion for Children by the N.C. Association of School Administrators.

Where do you stand on implementation of Leandro – are you with the defendants and plaintiffs who agreed on the comprehensive remedial plan? Are you with the courts to uphold the Constitution? Are you with every child who deserves access to a quality education?

If not, what’s your (not the legislative leaders’) alternative?

Are you providing silent acquiescence to the leaders of the General Assembly who’ve decided to ignore the repeated consensus from Republicans who’ve crafted the Leandro decisions?

The framers of our state Constitution, 158 years ago, wanted an independent voice for public schools.

There are plenty of politicians pushing the hot button issues – but way too few willing to take a stand to make sure every child has access to a quality education.

Superintendent Truitt, what could be more important to talk about, to take a stand on, then making sure there are top-notch teachers in every classroom and quality resources and facilities for every student?

It isn’t who does or doesn’t win a collegiate swimming race.