A referendum on how school superintendents are selected tops the Monroe County School Board agenda today, as board members prepare to pass the ballot question on to the County Commission for approval.

The board, meeting today at Coral Shores High School, is expected to ask the county to place the question on the Aug. 24 primary election ballot, Schools Superintendent Joe Burke said Monday.

"I think there is some sentiment across the community to take a look at that and see if the voters are ready," he said. "It might be time."

If the ballot language is approved, it will be the fourth time since 1976 that the question has gone to voters, who repeatedly have rejected the option of a superintendent hired by and answering to the board.

"It's a different atmosphere now, so I believe it will be successful," said board member John Dick.

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether Burke's name might also be on the ballot this fall. Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Burke as interim superintendent Aug. 21 after the suspension of former Schools Superintendent Randy Acevedo, with the understanding that Burke would serve until the end of Acevedo's term in 2012.

However, county Supervisor of Elections Harry Sawyer stated earlier this month that, according to state law, the superintendent should come up for election this fall. State officials have not yet resolved the issue.

In other business

The School Board also is expected to discuss:

• Talks between the board and city of Key West on a proposal to turn Glynn Archer Elementary School into a government center with both city and school district offices.

• A charter school application from Ocean Studies Charter School. The application has been rejected by a team of school officials who review such proposals. The charter school proponents could learn what might be done to get the application approved. The staff will help the applicants adhere to the requirements, Burke said.

• The search for a district internal auditor, answering to the board, to review district finances and look for places to save money. Richard Fechter, a finalist who previously was hired to review district credit cards and spending in the Adult Education Department, apparently has changed his mind about pursuing the job, Dick said.

• Extending the suspension of two cosmetology teachers accused of accepting double pay at Key West High School.

jguerra@keysnews.com