CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Vol. 43, No. 37
April 23, 2009
Michael Ponder Joins State Board of Education
Michael Ponder, Cape Girardeau, was sworn in this morning as the newest member of the Missouri State Board of Education. The board is holding its regular monthly meeting today and tomorrow in Jefferson City.
Ponder was appointed last month by Gov. Jay Nixon; his confirmation hearing in the Missouri Senate was held yesterday.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as a member of the State Board of Education. I believe that high-quality public education should be available to every child in Missouri and that improving our education system is key to assuring the vitality and prosperity of every community,” Ponder said.
“Although I am newly appointed, it has quickly become apparent that the board is vitally interested in improving outcomes for students and schools throughout the Southeast Missouri region. I am encouraged by the systems and programs already in place to improve educational outcomes, and I look forward to working with local educators and state leaders to accomplish our goals,” he said.
Much of today’s meeting was devoted to a joint session with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the state panel that is responsible for oversight of public colleges and universities.
Mr. Ponder is a partner in the Cape Girardeau law firm of Cook, Barrett, Maguire and Ponder. He is a 1990 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law.
Established by the Missouri Constitution, the State Board of Education is an eight-member body with general policymaking authority for the public school system (pre-kindergarten to grade 12). Members are appointed by the governor for eight-year terms. No more than four members of the board may belong to the same political party.
The major duties of the board include: establishing accreditation standards for public schools; setting certification requirements for all professional educators; setting minimum standards for high school graduation; and hiring the Commissioner of Education and staff of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Mr. Ponder replaced Dr. Shirley Hindman, Harviell, who had served on the board since 2004.