Mississippi voters have a chance to amend their constitution to replace the current state board of education, composed of three elected state officials, with a “lay board” made up of nine elected members. Advocates of the measure consider the switch essential to improving the legislative status and the quality of the state’s schools. Most of the state’s education leaders support the amendment.
Both gubernatorial candidates in Georgia have named education as a “top priority,” but differ on the issue of increasing taxes. The Democratic candidate, Joe Frank Harris, is a former chairman of the state’s House appropriations committee and is considered well versed in matters of school finance. Mr. Harris has pledged that there will be no tax increase if he is elected; the Republican, Robert Bayle, has made no such promise.
Charles McDaniel, the Democratic state superintendent of education, has been re-elected by virtue of being unopposed in the primary.
Florida’s chief state school officer, Ralph D. Turlington, has also been re-elected without opposition to a four-year term.
In South Carolina, Charlie G. Williams, state superintendent, is expected to win re-election, as is Gov. Dick Riley.
And in Alabama, as a result of uncontested races, four Democrats have won election to the state board of education. They are: Isabelle Thomasson, a former member of the board, who defeated incumbent Ron Creel; Harold Martin, the incumbent vice chairman; John Fulmer, a retired school superintendent from Anniston; and Evelyn Pratt, a school principal from Huntsville.
