MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Gov. Phil Scott’s pick to become Vermont’s new education secretary will head to the Statehouse Tuesday for her confirmation hearing. Reporter Calvin Cutler spoke with Zoie Saunders Friday about her interest in the job and criticism leveled by some that she lacks the experience for the role.
After Zoie Saunders was tapped last month by the governor to head the Agency of Education, Democrats, Progressives, and many state education officials criticized the pick, saying Saunders doesn’t have enough experience in the public school system and that she comes from a background in charter schools.
Saunders served for three months as a school administrator in Broward County and worked in promoting charter schools. Before that, she served five years as chief education officer for Fort Lauderdale. She has no experience working in schools as either a teacher, principal, or superintendent.
While Saunders started her new job this week, she faces confirmation hearings in the Senate next week. One-third of senators have expressed concern over the appointment and could scuttle her confirmation, a rarity for the governor’s cabinet choices.