By the time you read this, Mrs. DeVos may have been approved as secretary of education. I pray not.
One more courageous Republican senator may have voted against her.
It is so important that they understand the negative impact her understated and yet uncovered ignorance will have on public education, school choice, and even charter schools. The huge responsibility for programs, services, budgets in this department is way beyond her skill set.
A Republican senator or two should follow the lead of the two brave women who understand that the impact chits for schools of choice will cause "a disaster" in rural areas, and listen to their calls from constituents.
My outrage of her recommendation to this office has more to do with her lack of broad-based knowledge, frankly inept and ignorant answers to questions during her senate committee and her family's huge donation to the Republican Party vs. her party affiliation.
Most people who heard the $200 million figure probably were numbed when thinking about all of the needs in public schools, and had an inability to relate given their paychecks. Those are figures from which lottery jackpots are built. However, it is said she understands the middle class, poor children and public schools. What a payoff - money buys power! Additionally, her lack of knowledge regarding federal education laws, especially for students with disabilities, her inability to make a commitment to solutions to abuse problems on college campuses, just to name a couple, is appalling.
Finally, as a lifelong educator/teacher through administrator, I believe the department should be permanently closed if she is confirmed. The chaos which might occur in having to send out priority responsibilities to other agencies and the states will be much less than the long-term negative effect on public education and the next generation of students. Can we continue to afford this, and how will it help make America great now or again?
Irene Paonessa
Rehoboth Beach
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