Former BOE member has a point — or does he?

Whether the resignation of Board of Education (BOE) member Jim Williams is a mere ripple or a tidal shift remains to be seen.

Williams’ departure last week came with a letter criticizing Gov. David Ige for his lack of support for, and confidence in, the board. Pointedly, Williams cited Ige’s creation, without telling the board, of his Governor’s ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) advisory team, now tasked with developing a blueprint to transform the public school system. The federal ESSA aims to give states more authority and accountability over public education.

When it comes to ESSA’s monumental transformation, it would seem that more heads with good ideas are better than not enough. But Williams is right in noting that the BOE is charged by the state Constitution with formulating statewide educational policy — so it cannot, and should not, be tactically ignored or circumvented.

Improved communications and inclusion seem to be in order.