CB> I DO wish, however, that there were requirements in place that board 
CB> members have an education (at least an Associate's degree) and take 
CB> training before taking their seats.
    I'd say most all board members in this region have at least a B.A.
    As for "training", what kind would you require?  If it's in the financial 
aspects of running schools, the board members here are typically businessmen. 
 If it's in school-related legal issues, that's why boards all seem to retain 
lawyers to advise them...and _listen_ to those lawyers.  Most are parents, so 
they have some familiarity with public schools today in their towns.  If 
there's something further that they need, I'd be glad to hear it (and I might 
agree there is a need for training before office.)
    Judges, also elected in most places, often get trained at a place called 
the National Judicial College which trains those lawyers about to sit behind 
the bench for the first time in the ins-and-outs of being a judge in a 
six-week court.  But being a judge is a _daily_ job.
CB> We have a representational system - we elect representatives to run 
CB> our 
CB> governments.  Why do we have referendums on school budgets?  We don't 
CB> vote on the federal budget, the state budget or even the local 
CB> (county, 
CB> city, town, etc.) budgets. 
    Look at California's Proposition 13 tax revolt against local taxes.
    It was a referendum.
CB> city, town, etc.) budgets.  Schools often have to suffer the 
CB> frustration 
CB> people feel over OTHER budgets over which they have no direct 
CB> control.
    True.  But most every citizen also feels himself a direct beneficiary of 
the police, fire, and sanitation department...but relatively few citizens 
have kids in public schools (once you count out the senior citizens, the 
private school parents, the nonparents, etc.).
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