Wilson Vetoes More Power for Schools Chief
Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have handed more power to the elected state superintendent of public instruction at the expense of the state Board of Education, whose members are appointed by the governor.
The measure, by state Sen. Ralph Dills (D-Gardena), would have overturned two recent court decisions that have broadened the authority of the 11-member, part-time Board of Education.
The court decisions gave the board more power over hiring, budgeting and review of local school district actions.
The power struggle, which has simmered for more than a decade, boiled over last year into a fight between the board’s conservative wing and former Supt. Bill Honig, who was forced to resign this year after being convicted on conflict-of-interest charges.
The dispute also has poisoned relations between Wilson and the Legislature, contributing to the rejection of two of the governor’s nominees to the board and the defeat of his choice to replace Honig--Republican state Sen. Marian Bergeson of Newport Beach.
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