“Virtually every governor for 40 or 50 years has wanted to have more control in regard” to education policy, Gov. Mike DeWine said last fall.

And according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, lawmakers are making another attempt at giving governors that control. State Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, reintroduced the idea — Senate Bill 1 — last month.

“Senate Bill 1 will put, basically, the governor in charge of education policy in the state through the cabinet-level position,” state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said.

One can understand lawmakers’ frustration with a State Board of Education that for a year-and-a-half has been unable even to choose a permanent superintendent. But lawmakers must not allow the executive branch to politicize the position.

A new director, under the governor, would take over “general supervision of the system of public education in the state,” exercise “policy forming, planning and evaluative functions for the public schools,” develop a financial reporting standard for districts and “administer and supervise the allocation and distribution of all state and federal funds for public school education.”

Again lawmakers must be cautious in adding this wrinkle. If the change is not being proposed simply for change’s sake, then SB 1 sounds as though it could be part of much-needed movement forward for Ohio’s schools.