There's no question that the state Department of Education, which consumes nearly half the state's annual operating budget, should be subject to the strictest levels of accountability and transparency.

But Gov. Linda Lingle's proposal for a new independent commission to look into the department's books is not the way to achieve that goal.

And in fact, a gubernatorial commission may be an early step toward shifting authority over the schools system from the elected Board of Education and the department to the governor's office.

The Department of Education is constitutionally set up to manage its own affairs through an elected board and appointed managers. Recent state audits raised questions about the quality of some of that work, particularly in fiscal and accounting systems.

The first response to such criticism must come from the department itself, not a separate commission answerable ultimately to the governor.

Board of Education members have been quick to say they understand the governor's need for more information background on departmental budget policies. They have offered to sit down with Lingle and sort out whatever questions she may have.

This is a sensible approach. If Lingle can demonstrate that, in the end, the department is either stonewalling or uncooperative, then the need for an outside authority might make sense.

But not now.