NC Education System: Someone help me understand!

Raleigh News & Observer reports: Gov. Beverly Perdue has named William Harrison, superintendent of the Cumberland County Schools, to oversee statewide public education.

Harrison, a former teacher, principal and school system administrator, will serve as both chief executive officer and chairman of the State Board of Education, Lynn Bonner reports.

"We need to have a clear line of accountability," Perdue said at a news conference this afternoon.

Harrison has been superintendent in Cumberland County, the fourth-largest school system in North Carolina, since 1997. He also served as superintendent in Hoke and Orange counties and an assistant superintendent in Brunswick County.

In appointing Harrison, Perdue said she wanted to change the way the state's education system operates.

Harrison, a native of Pennsylvania, has a bachelor's degree from Methodist College in Fayetteville, a master's degree from East Carolina University and an educational doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

Howard Lee will step down as state board chairman and will serve as executive director of the education cabinet, which coordinates public and higher education in North Carolina.

I have found out that Mr. Harrison will be paid $240,000 a year and will be much more powerful than outgoing Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction as he will have control over the State Board of Education and NCDPI.

I am a fan of State Superintendent Atkinson, she is competent and talented and is a tremendous asset. The Governor has taken a system that was broken and further plagued it with an additional level of bureaucracy.

We elect an education leader that is accountable to the voters of NC, why isn't that person in charge of education in NC. What makes Governor Perdue qualified to be the sole decider in educational policy in NC? The first of many questions.

As a future teacher this makes me sick. I am questioning my support of the governor.