MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Governor Phil Scott Friday announced his appointment of Zoie Saunders to serve as Vermont’s next education secretary.
Saunders comes to Vermont from Florida, where she served as chief strategy and innovation officer for the Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest school district in the country.
In a statement, Scott said she is an accomplished education leader with broad strategic and operational experience driving school improvement, increasing student outcomes and enrollment, closing service gaps, and optimizing school support services.
“I have always believed that, given our enormous investment and commitment, Vermont is capable of having the best education system in the country, serving students from cradle to career,” Scott said. “Vermont’s education system is at a turning point, and it will take all of us – teachers, parents, administrators, school staff, community leaders, and more – to work together to ensure we reach our full potential. Zoie’s exemplary resume, fresh perspective and impactful experience as a public school leader will be invaluable as we move forward. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of students and the communities that schools serve. She will be a huge asset as we move forward, and I look forward to working with her and welcoming her and her family to Vermont.”
“I have devoted my career to expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities and believe in the power of education to drive positive community change and economic prosperity,” Saunders said in a statement. “It is my honor to serve as the secretary of Education in a state with a strong tradition of prioritizing education and the needs of children. With leadership experience across multiple states and a background in community development, I understand that local context matters and commit to collaborating with Vermonters to advance the State’s education goals. On a personal level, I am a mom of two school-aged children and will work hard to advocate for policies that prepare students for success in school and life.”
For five years prior to her current role, Saunders served as the City of Fort Lauderdale’s first chief education officer. Previously, she was the vice president of strategy for Charter Schools USA. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and Master of Education from Vanderbilt University.
She replaces Interim Secretary Heather Bouchey, who has served in that role since the departure of Dan French last April.
Saunders comes to the job during a fraught time for education financing in The Green Mountains. Voters earlier this month rejected an unprecedented one-third of school budgets for those districts that voted on Town Meeting Day. Education spending is up $230 million statewide and property taxes are forecasted to increase by an average of 19% percent. That comes despite falling student enrollment and stagnant academic performance.
As lawmakers try to raise revenue to soften the blow, the governor and some lawmakers have said the state needs to address painful education finance reform realities, including renewing school consolidation efforts from where Act 46 left off.
Saunders will assume the role effective April 15.