In any democratic process, transparency and accountability are fundamental. When these principles are sidelined, the integrity of governance is at stake. This past Tuesday, a recent incident in the House Education Committee highlights a disturbing trend in educational leadership: the refusal to allow a roll call vote on HB1433, the House bill for school choice/vouchers. Special thanks go to various educational groups who were at the Capital this past Tuesday and were able to report to the public what transpired through their social media. The quotes and summaries are credited to The Parents’ Campaign and Toren Ballard.

The House Education Chair recently acknowledged that legislators had received an overwhelming response from their constituents regarding HB1433, a bill concerning public and private school choice. He stated that representatives had received “millions of phone calls and texts” opposing the bill. Despite this, he urged committee members to vote in favor of it.

What followed was a clear case of leadership disregarding democratic norms. When the bill was put to a voice vote, the nays were audibly in the majority. Yet, the Chairman moved the bill forward to the calendar for a floor vote. When committee members requested a roll call vote to formally acknowledge each legislator’s stance, he refused, simply stating, “We aren’t going to have a roll call vote today. I’m sorry.” My questions are, “Why? What are we afraid of?” There needs to be an answer…

This refusal has significant consequences… By not allowing a roll call vote, the public is denied the opportunity to know how their legislators voted in the committee process. Why would you not want votes acknowledged? Obviously, some legislators wanted their votes made public… This lack of transparency prevents constituents from holding their elected officials accountable. The public has a right to know whether their representatives represent their interests or follow party directives. Some legislators may argue that their votes will be counted on the floor, which is when it really counts. A vote is a vote regardless of whether it is in committee or on the floor.

The role of education committees is to ensure policies that shape the future of our schools are debated and decided upon fairly. If committee leadership disregards established procedures to push forward bills with minimal scrutiny, it sets a dangerous precedent. And this is a rabbit hole worth going down… The legislative process should not be manipulated to silence opposition or fast-track controversial measures.

The implications extend beyond HB1433. Other bills have passed out of committee for this session hurt public schools. What did those votes look like? So, are we at the point where legislators will ignore overwhelming public opposition and silence dissent in committee meetings? What other policies might be passed without proper oversight? This alone is a crucial reason for us to remain engaged, follow along with bills that will affect society and our interests, and demand that legislative bodies operate with integrity.

This incident also underscores the importance of continued civic engagement. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, your voice matters. As HB1433 moves to the House floor, where votes will be officially recorded, it is imperative to keep advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the legislative process. As I have previously written in other blogs, educators know more about education than legislators do.

The “need” to silence roll call votes is more than a procedural issue. It is a deliberate act of disrespect to the democracy for which we have representatives. If legislators cannot be held accountable for their votes, then the very foundation of democratic governance is at risk. It is time for educational leaders and the public to demand better from those who say they represent our educational interests.

But I will close with this… Thank you to the House members who voted no on HB1435 yesterday. We know who you are and greatly appreciate you standing up for public education.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

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