School officials clear on spending needs - not accountability

County School Superintendent Kevin Maxwell gave everyone a jolt by proposing a $980 million operating budget for fiscal 2008. That's more than 80 percent of last year's entire county budget and an increase of 17 percent, coming at a time when county expenses are up and revenues are down.

It is hard for any taxpayer to grasp such an enormous number, so remote from the sums involved in his own budget or even that of any business he may own. All parents want better education for their children, but how do taxpayers really know this kind of money is essential and that none of it would be wasted?

Under our current system, we elect...