Well I am now informed, and my supporter stands corrected.
Wood was indeed Chair of the Education Committee from 1995-1997. Before that, he had been vice chair of the House Education Committee for eight years. During the fourteen years Wood had served, he had always been involved in this committee. Even though Wood became Speaker Pro Tem in 1997 and was no longer the chair of the education committee, he claims it was not for a better parking space.
In 1995, Representative Carolyn Russell wanted to serve as speaker pro tem but also wanted to chair the education committee. She couldn’t have it both ways, so she served as speaker pro tem until 1997, and then took up the chairmanship on the education committee from Wood. Wood then was offered her position as speaker pro tem.
One thing I would also like to mention is that my opponent was instrumental in negotiating the charter school legislation which was passed in 1996. My opponent and I agree that we need more than a little competition in our state-run school system. Ideally, we need more competition outside of the public school monopoly. The charter system allows a non-profit community based organization to run a public school. Charter schools are given a little less red tape from the state, answer to the State Board of Education, and are held to the highest standards.
I applaud Wood’s work in education.
6:29:02 PM
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