There was notable tension Tuesday morning in the Vermont Senate, which voted to reject Gov. Phil Scott's nomination of Education Secretary Zoe Sanders. The Senate voted 19-9 to reject Scott's appointment, a highly politicized process. Sen. Anne Cummings, who voted against Mr. Sanders, said: “I feel disappointed. This is the first time I've felt bad about voting.'' Opponents again cited her history with charter schools, which Sanders defended as public education in Florida. Opponents also said she lacked a concrete vision for education in Vermont. “The short amount of time she spent in her public education did not resonate with what I expected from a candidate for the most important public education leadership role in our state,” she wrote. said. Sen. Becca White voted against Sanders. Those who supported Sanders say her work and other experience with Broward Co. Public Schools, the nation's sixth-largest public school district, has led her to believe that the state's education system is in financial and fiscal troubles. I felt it suited her inside. Sen. Brian Collamore, who voted in favor, said: “It's clear what we're doing is simply not working. So I support doing something different.” . Senate President pro tempore Phil Barth issued a statement following the ruling. After the vote, he said in part, “The majority of the Senate has determined that Zoe Sanders' record is inconsistent with this moment.” Scott also released a statement after the vote, saying he had officially nominated Sanders as interim education secretary. Commenting on the appointment, he said: “I am confident that she is the leader we need as we move forward. In her short time at the agency, she has identified challenges and worked with educational leaders to address them on the ground. Scott's decision to make Sanders interim director despite the Senate's rejection leaves the Scott administration considering its next steps. It is unlikely that he will be able to fulfill all of his parliamentary responsibilities, but since the Senate cannot vote again until January, it is possible that he will reappoint him after the session. Other Montpelier residents said it's the first time they've seen real-world D.C.-style politics and the divisions in the state Legislature, making it a very messy process.
There was notable tension in the Vermont Senate on Tuesday morning as it voted to reject Gov. Phil Scott's appointment of Zoe Sanders as Secretary of Education.
The Senate rejected Scott's appointment by a vote of 19-9 in what became a highly political process.
Sen. Anne Cummings, who voted against Mr. Sanders, said: “I feel disappointed. This is the first time I've felt bad about voting.''
Opponents again cited her history with charter schools, and Sanders defended it as public education in Florida. Opponents also said she lacked a concrete vision for education in Vermont.
Sen. Becca White, who voted against Sanders, said, “The short amount of time she has spent in public education is what I expected from her as a candidate for the state's most important public education leadership role.'' It didn't resonate with anything.”
Those who supported Sanders felt her accomplishment in the sixth game. Her experience at Broward Co. Public Schools, the nation's largest public school district, and others make her a good fit at a time when the state's education system is in financial trouble and test scores are declining.
“It's clear that what we're doing is simply not working, so I support doing something different,” said Sen. Brian Collamore, who voted in favor.
Senate President pro tempore Phil Barth released a statement after the vote that said in part: “A majority of the Senate has determined that Zoe Sanders' resume is inconsistent with this moment.”
Scott also issued a statement after the vote, saying he had officially nominated Sanders as interim education secretary.
Scott further emphasized her appointment, saying, “I am confident that she is the leader we need as we move forward. In her short time at the agency, she will identify challenges and help stabilize them.” “We are already working on mobilizing support for this,” he said. We work with education leaders on the ground. ”
Despite the Senate's rejection, Scott's decision to make Sanders interim director will allow him to fully fulfill his responsibilities as director. Another vote is unlikely this Congress as the Scott administration considers its next steps.
However, the Senate is in recess and cannot vote again until January, leaving the possibility of appointing her again after the session.
Other Montpelier residents also said it's the first time they've seen real-life D.C.-style politics and the divisive state of affairs in the state Legislature, making it a very messy process.
