Local schools show concern about DeVos
The first week with President Donald Trump in the White House has many people nodding affirmation.
Others are shaking their heads, wondering what the next four years will bring.
Some folks are taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their happiness, or their displeasure at the controversial president’s actions. Others just smile in joy or grumble in disgust.
But to two school boards in the region, President Trump’s choice for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, has raised concerns that go beyond shaking their heads.
The Pottstown School Board last week took the unusual step of passing a resolution opposing the appointment of DeVos and urging the Senate to reject her. A vote on the nomination is expected Tuesday.
In Delaware County, the Radnor Township School Board discussed a similar measure but rejected it, voting along party lines.
Pottstown’s board approved the resolution 5-3 with one member absent and one abstaining on the grounds a local board has no business weighing in on a federal appointment.
Board member Emanuel Wilkerson championed the proposed resolution to the board as a necessary stance to protect the future of public schools, particularly in financially stressed places like Pottstown. Elected to the school board while a senior at Pottstown High, Wilkerson’s passion for local schools is matched only by his enthusiasm for politics and public service.
DeVos has come under partisan fire since she was nominated. Critics say she was nominated not for her expertise in public education, which they argue is non-existent, but for the millions of dollars she has donated to Republican candidates over the years, as well as her advocacy for charter schools and school choice.
Public education advocates around the nation have expressed concerns about DeVos lack of experience and understanding of the challenges faced by local schools, but few have made that concern an official stance.
The resolution the Pottstown board passed stated DeVos is “a large contributor to Republican political candidates, but otherwise lacking any credentials as an educator, any experience in the administration and management of public schools, and demonstrating a pre-disposition towards and long history of support for charter school and school voucher programs.”
The resolution concludes by calling on the Senate to “stand firm by opposing this nominee until such time as the incoming President’s administration presents a vision and plan which supports and enhances public education in America.”
A similar resolution was discussed at a meeting last week of the Radnor Township School Board, a district at the far end of the income spectrum from Pottstown.
Radnor Township School Board Member Lydia Solomon introduced the resolution, which failed along party lines.
Nonetheless, it sparked a lively discussion about whether locally elected officials should weigh in on a federal decision.
Those supporting the motion said the board has a duty to support public education as “a keystone of democracy.” Board member Susan Stern said she believed the resolution was appropriate because of DeVos’ lack of knowledge.
Board Member Amy Goldman said that she had watched DeVos testify before the Senate and has “grave concerns.”
“She didn’t know answers to what is the difference between growth and proficiency [something that we all know that being involved in board business],” said Goldman.
In discussing publicly and in adopting this resolution, neither Pottstown nor Radnor board members have any illusion that their actions will affect the Senate committee. That didn’t stop them from taking a stance.
Public schools are the heart of communities throughout this nation, and the notion that the federal official responsible for them to thrive has no experience or understanding of their challenges is extremely troubling.
The fact that two local boards in our region noticed — and one of them boldly took a stand — reinforces our faith in local government. Actions speak louder than shaking our heads.