Schools In Crisis: Full Text Of Governor Huckabee`s Remarks On Supreme Court Decision

The full text of Governor Huckabee`s remarks after the state Supreme Court announced it will appoint a special master to evaluate the status of Arkansas` public school system. ----- "The Arkansas Supreme Court today affirmed its commitment to the children of our state with a bold, unprecedented action to recall its mandate in the Lake View case. The Supreme Court has done its duty by recognizing that the Legislature has failed in doing its duty by the deadline given. "For most of the past 14 months, I`ve urged bold and prompt action, not just for the sake of court compliance but for the greater sake of the kids in our state who should be able to know that wherever they live, they`ll be able to access an adequate, equal and efficient education at a cost our citizens can afford. "Far too much time has been wasted trying to appease political and parochial interests rather than trying to please the court and prepare for the future by presenting a plan that delivers education effectively and efficiently. The court will now take over and appoint a special master. The executive branch stands ready, willing and able to join the judicial branch in seeing that the Constitution is followed. I offer the full support of the state Department of Education, the state Board of Education and the governor`s office in complying with the court order. "One has to hold the court in high respect for its resolve. The Legislature, despite repeated warnings and pleadings, has been unable to secure enough votes to agree on a plan. Now, all of our schools are subject to a court-appointed master rather than being governed by the Legislature and local school boards. "The court`s action underscores that minor, cosmetic or gradual changes are too little, too late. More than a year ago, I said we must do more than a tap of the hammer or a twist of the screwdriver when attempting to answer this crisis. We`ll now do by order what we could have done and should have done because of sheer opportunity. Let us not fail the children of this state again." Posted by Mike Hellgren