June Atkinson apparently has decided to spend her term as Superintendent of Public Instruction fighting to get back her office’s powers – either from the legislature or the courts.

That’s understandable. But is it the best thing for the schools? And is there another strategy for Atkinson?

When Governor Perdue named Bill Harrison schools CEO, she demoted Atkinson to the role of good-will “ambassador.”

Maybe there is something there – though not what Perdue had in mind.

Suppose Atkinson turned herself into an all-purpose high-profile public ombudsman, advocate and critic for the schools?

Since she has no real job to do, she could make it her job to travel around the state, visit schools and make public statements – statements that might or might not make the powers-that-be in Raleigh happy.

Atkinson may not have power, but she has a pulpit. She could wade into issues like:

• Should lottery money be used to balance the general fund?
  
• Is the state’s testing program working?
  
• Which approach is better – Charlotte’s neighborhood schools or Raleigh’ diverse schools?

Education is rife with so many reforms it’s hard to know what works. Atkinson could make herself the arbiter of what works.

I’m not suggesting she exact revenge. But if she had a mind to, she might make the Governor wish she had given Atkinson more to do.

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