William Marvel: Precluding Reform

About a decade ago, a Conway School Board member who had tired of hearing complaints from the public challenged critics to run for election to the board and try to effect the changes they desired. That clever political putdown deliberately overlooked the subtle impediments that now effectively preclude any such threats of reform.

The most obvious preventive is a well-organized school lobby. Hundreds of parents and an enormous staff vote for those candidates who show the most reverence and support for the existing system. A backup precaution is the seven-member board, only two or three of whom can be deposed at one time. Even if three PTO types were replaced by reformers in one year, their successors could still be neutralized by the majority.