Like just about everything he does, Kansas Education Commissioner Bob Corkins’ decision to create a new division in the department and hire two new deputy commissioners is stirring controversy.

First, according to Kansas Board of Education member Sue Gamble, it is unheard of for the commissioner to announce the hirings and reorganization plans before they are approved by the board. Second, according to Board Member Bill Wagnon, the establishment of a new School Innovation Division would add unnecessary bureaucracy and costs to the department’s operation.

Both seem like legitimate complaints that should concern Corkins, who was hired by and works for the State Board of Education. It seems only appropriate to get board approval before reorganizing the department, hiring key people and creating a new top-level position.

The two deputy commissioners chosen by Corkins to head the Learning Services Division and the new innovation division appear to have at least basic qualifications for the jobs. Both have experience as school teachers and administrators as well as doctoral degrees in education from Kansas University.

Although the board and Corkins agreed that such education-related credentials weren’t necessary for the commissioner of education, it’s good that Corkins hasn’t decided to continue that hiring trend. The cynical among us might wonder whether Corkins felt he needed to create the new deputy commissioner position and new division at least in part to compensate for his own lack of educational qualifications.

Does the education department really need a new School Innovation Division? Corkins said the division would look for successful school programs and determine whether similar programs could be used in other schools. It seems that every division of the education department already would be doing that job in their particular area – in a way that would be more efficient and constructive than channeling such efforts through a separate division. There also are concerns about what other department functions might have to be cut back to provide funding for the new division.

Wagnon and Gamble are right that these are questions that should have been discussed with and resolved by the state board before they were announced by Corkins. However, the reality at this point is that Corkins really has almost no reason to concern himself with the criticisms of Wagnon and Gamble. Although the two board members frequently find themselves at odds with Corkins, the commissioner has a solid majority of support on the board that will support most plans he pursues.

The board will be asked to accept Corkins’ hiring and reorganization plans when it meets next week, and he has every reason to be confident of the board’s support. The public’s confidence, however, many be shaken once again by the continuing controversy surrounding Corkins and the state board.