MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s pick to become education secretary was grilled Tuesday by state lawmakers ahead of her confirmation vote in the coming days.
In one of the most closely watched appointment hearings in recent memory, Zoie Saunders faced questions from members of the Senate Education Committee.
“We are here to provide you with a fair, respectful, thoughtful, and comprehensive hearing,” committee chair Sen. Brian Campion, D-Bennington County, told Saunders at the start of the hearing.
Saunders stressed the need to meet the educational and emotional needs of Vermont students equitably and make sure families are included in the solution. “Really, as a state being the leader in terms of kindergarten readiness — literacy in third grade, graduation rates, and matriculation into college or a career,” she said.
Saunders comes to the Green Mountain State by way of Florida, where she served with the city of Fort Lauderdale and managed finances for charter schools. However, her appointment was met with concerns she has never worked in a public school directly with students. Others are concerned she will value independent and private schools, which could chip away at public school funding.
“There’s definitely been a trend toward privatization of it and the appointment of Ms. Saunders to be the new secretary of education is part of that trend,” said Geo Honigford, a former school board chair from the Upper Valley.
Scott and Saunders have said they have no plans to create charter schools in Vermont. The governor adds that Saunders’ path through education gives her a unique perspective to navigate challenges facing school districts and how to solve them
If confirmed, Saunders would take the reigns at a critical time for education in the state. Education costs have been rising, facilities are aging, enrollment is dropping, and academic performance is lacking.
State lawmakers gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill that would set double-digit property tax rates.
Saunders says improving educational outcomes and making it more affordable needs to be driven by making sure every student has equitable access to education. “A much more analytical review of the structure of how we fund education and how we structure ourselves to deliver education opportunities and equity across the state,” she said. She says it’s too soon to pitch specific recommendations of what should change.
Saunders still needs to be confirmed by the full Senate. There’s no timeline yet on when that vote could happen