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--> --> Bill to make governor head of schools stalls SALEM (AP) - A bill that would have eliminated the office of state school superintendent and handed its duties over to the governor was sent back to committee Tuesday because of lack of support. "We didn't have the votes. That's what we call a constitutional problem," Senate President Gene Derfler quipped. The measure, SB1, won some support, but was ultimately defeated after current School Superintendent Stan Bunn admitted he'd made hundreds of personal phone calls at state expense over the past two years. A deputy school superintendent also recently repaid $12,000 in questionable travel expenses. At Bunn's request, the state Audits Division has begun a full review of the Education Department, looking into agency expenses and procedures. Previously, Bunn reported that he repaid the state more than $600 for personal long-distance telephone calls made on state phones. He also said he was returning his state cell phone, having a state phone removed from his home and turning in his state car. Opponents, however, argued the effort circumvents the constitution and that they didn't like the idea of the governor gaining more power. Minority Leader Kate Brown, D-Portland, said Democrats weren't comfortable with eliminating a constitutional office by legislation, even though a 1997 attorney general's opinion said it would be legal. Bunn, elected in 1998 and likely to run again next year, said he was delighted the bill failed. "I hope it dies in committee," he said. "But if it doesn't, the appropriate way to deal with this is by asking the voters." "They feel like we're bending the rules a little bit," Derfler said. "But my response would be: Then why don't we elect all the directors of our departments?" Derfler said the scandal surrounding the Department of Education didn't have anything to do with his bill, because it was introduced before Bunn's spending problems were reported. He has tried for three sessions to eliminate the elected superintendent. The bill, which had stalled in committee, gained momentum again after news of problems at the Department of Education spread. With the state providing 75 percent of school funding and devoting 57 percent of its budget to schools, Derfler said the state has a vested interest in running schools and should be able to select its own superintendent. "The governor is responsible for schools, but he's working with someone he has no authority over," said Derfler, R-Salem. Handing over the job to the governor would also make the elected position less political and more managerial, Derfler said. "I don't think we always elect the best managers," he said. Derfler said he'll continue to work on the measure, and might revise it so that it could be referred to the voters. The last time voters were asked their opinion, in 1980, they buried the idea of an appointed school superintendent. But Derfler insisted a referral could succeed now. "Since then, things have changed," he said. "The state is responsible for school funding, but the governor doesn't have control over the school budget. I think when you explain that to voters, the idea makes sense." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing