Betsy DeVos’ historic and contentious confirmation as the nation’s next education secretary has many up in arms, including some in the Monadnock region.
Linda Quintanilha, a Bennington parent with two autistic children, said Wednesday that DeVos’ confirmation is “pretty troubling,” especially for those students with disabilities. Voucher programs, among other things according to Quintanilha, could be harmful to many groups of students.
“There are a lot of unintended consequences that could be harmful to students, especially those with disabilities,” said Quintanilha, who has been an advocate for those with disabilities for more than a decade. “She needs more education on special education.”
DeVos — a former Michigan Republican Party chair who has little experience with public education — was confirmed as the 11th U.S. Secretary of Education after a 51-50 Senate vote on Tuesday. The vote marked the first time a vice president had to cast the tie-breaking vote for a cabinet member, with Vice President Mike Pence joining 50 other Republican senators.
Those against DeVos have argued that her advocacy of school choice, school voucher programs, and charter schools, coupled with her lack of experience will be harmful to public education. Those in support have argued that she could bring a fresh perspective to the job, devolve education decisions back to the states, and push for more opportunities for poor and disadvantaged students.
Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District Superintendent Reuben Duncan is also concerned with DeVos’ lack of understanding surrounding regulations dealing with students with disabilities, adding that the district remains committed to engaging in strengthening education efforts at the local level.
“Though I think it is a bit strange that a position such as the U.S. Secretary of Education is being filled by an individual who appears to have little-to-no understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it does not change our focus or work in the Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District,” said Duncan. “I am less concerned about what is happening at the federal level and more engaged with the important work we are currently doing here locally. My focus is on the communities of Rindge and Jaffrey, not Washington D.C.”
Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District Superintendent Bryan K. Lane chimed in more generally on the federal and state education positions, advocating for equity and educational opportunities for students.
“My hope is that people at the federal or state level will work to create equity and educational opportunity,” said Lane. “It’s about making sure that public funds are spent in a way that creates equity. Public funds should only be spent if they put all schools on an equal playing field.”
Other local school board members and superintendents chose not to comment about DeVos, saying they wanted to do more research or were focusing more on local than federal issues.
New Hampshire’s two U.S. Senators — Democrats Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen — have both been outspoken against DeVos, and were two of the 46 Democratic senators to vote against DeVos. Two Republican and two Independent senators also did not vote for DeVos.
Shaheen spoke on the Senate floor on Feb. 6, reading letters from Granite State educators, parents, and others concerned with DeVos’s nomination. In total, Shaheen said her office received more than 4,000 letters and emails — almost all of them in opposition to DeVos — and 1,405 calls in opposition to her nomination, with three additional phone calls in support.
Hassan released a statement after DeVos’ confirmation, saying DeVos is unqualified for the position, adding that the education secretary should have the “broad backing of a range of communities.”
“I am extremely disappointed that only two of my Republican colleagues listened to their constituents and voted against Mrs. DeVos’ nomination,” said Hassan in her statement. “All students, regardless of personal circumstances, have a right to a free and appropriate public education and I will do everything in my power to protect this fundamental right. I will continue to stand up for the students and families of New Hampshire and fight any effort by the new Secretary of Education to undermine our public school system or make it harder for students to thrive.”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu did not share the same opinion on the DeVos confirmation saying “Congratulations to the new @usedgov Secretary, @BetsyDeVos! Together, we can bring about a stronger, 21st century education system for all,” in a Tuesday morning tweet.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.