The Board of Education for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools approved a resolution last Thursday to oppose the nomination of Betsy DeVos for secretary of education.
The resolution claims that DeVos has “a track record that is antithetical to public education” and “a long history of promoting low-performing alternatives.”
James Barrett, the chair of the board, concurred with those claims while introducing the resolution to board members.
“I am particularly appalled at her lack of involvement in public education,” he stated.
DeVos has advocated for the public funding of private schools as the founder of the Federation for American Children, a non-profit organization that supports school choice initiatives.
While speaking on the resolution, board member Margaret Samuels claimed that this type of advocacy may lead to the commercialization of the education system.
“There was talk of the program in Florida that funds a voucher-like system,” she explained. “Companies could pay for scholarships in private schools and then get tax breaks.”
UNC President Margaret Spellings, who served as the secretary of education under former President George W. Bush, rejected that claim in an interview with CBS News.
“I think the question is ‘where can we find the best education for students,’ not ‘what’s the name on the door,'” she mused.
Spellings suggested that DeVos is promoting a student-centered approach to education that is congruent with the priorities of the Department of Education.
“This is the era of states and local districts; this where the action is,” noted Spellings. “I think [DeVos] is going to pursue a deregulation agenda.”
The only board member to reject the resolution was Andrew Davidson, whose opposition came from a stance that may be unrelated to DeVos.
“I agree with you guys on Betsy Devos; I’m just going to make my stand here,” he cited.
A final vote on DeVos for secretary of education is expected to take place this week on the floor of the US Senate.
Photo by CNN Staff.
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