The superintendent elections held alongside the June 3 local elections may not attract as much attention, but they significantly impact the daily lives of students and parents. Superintendents lead the local education offices and play a crucial role in shaping regional education policies.
A change in superintendent does not immediately alter the school environment. The terms for local government heads, local council members, and superintendents are all four years, with the official terms for the newly elected officials starting on July 1 and running until June 30, 2030.
Superintendents are responsible for executing educational and cultural affairs within their jurisdictions. Their duties include drafting ordinances, preparing budgets, establishing educational regulations, managing the establishment, relocation, and closure of schools and educational institutions, overseeing curriculum operations, determining student attendance zones, managing educational facilities and equipment, and handling personnel matters for affiliated staff.
As a result, the outcomes of the superintendent elections can shift the focus of local education policies. Areas such as the expansion of academic assessments, support for basic academic skills, extended school programs, student rights ordinances, protection of teachers' rights, guidelines for digital device usage in schools, meal and transportation support, special education, and multicultural education may see changes in priority based on the new superintendent's policy direction.
Another notable aspect of the superintendent elections is that they are conducted without political party nominations. Superintendents are elected directly by residents, and candidates must have experience in education or educational administration. Additionally, candidates must not have been members of a political party for at least one year prior to the registration of their candidacy. This structure aims to ensure the political neutrality and professionalism of education.
However, even with a new superintendent, not all policies will change immediately. The school environment is intertwined with academic schedules, budgets, ordinances, and the operation of the education office. To halt ongoing projects or introduce new initiatives, internal reviews and budget adjustments are necessary. Depending on the issue, discussions in local councils or amendments to ordinances may also be required.
Therefore, parents should focus less on whether their child's school will change immediately and more on what policies the new superintendent will prioritize. The messages regarding basic academic skills, extended school programs, teachers' rights, student rights, digital education, and high school curricula communicated before and after the inauguration will indicate the direction for the next four years.
While mayoral and gubernatorial elections determine the direction of local development and welfare, superintendent elections can alter the atmosphere in classrooms and the priorities of schools. As the new term begins on July 1, parents should pay close attention to signals of changes in education policy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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