EDUCATION WATCH : Job Calls for the Best

At his best, Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Honig represented the activist politician who tapped a keen sense of righteousness in standing up for schoolchildren and teachers. Unfortunately, his keen political senses apparently failed him when it came to the state’s conflict-of-interest laws.

Honig was convicted last week on four felony counts of violating conflict-of-interest laws; essentially, he was found guilty by a jury of authorizing $337,509 in state contracts in the mid-to-late 1980s that paid for local educators to set up school parent involvement programs in conjunction with a nonprofit organization run by his wife, Nancy. By law Honig is now suspended from office and will be removed upon sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 26.

Honig came to office in 1982 as a reformer who fought passionately for increased public education funding, for textbooks that help enhance students’ ability to think, not merely memorize facts.

His willingness to do battle with political opponents both endeared him to some educators and put off some legislators--and governors.

Now one of those governors, Pete Wilson, will appoint a successor to fill out Honig’s term, which ends in 1995.

The next superintendent faces daunting challenges. One-fifth of California students live in poverty. Schools are increasingly confronting the barriers created for learning when basic needs of children such as food and health care are unmet. The next superintendent must be ready to do battle on behalf of children as never before.