Vermont's acting secretary of education fields questions from Senate committee on education
Saunders will continue to serve in the role as the acting secretary until a vote goes before the Senate.
Saunders will continue to serve in the role as the acting secretary until a vote goes before the Senate.
Saunders will continue to serve in the role as the acting secretary until a vote goes before the Senate.
On Tuesday, members of Vermont's senate weighed whether or not to appoint Gov. Phil Scott's controversial pick for the state's new secretary of education.
Zoie Saunders has a background in education in multiple states, most recently in Florida.
However, some have raised concerns about her ability to oversee the statewide system.
Saunders has been the acting secretary of education for just around a week following Scott's appointment of her in March.
The Senate Committee on Education weighed testimony on Tuesday as they consider whether or not Saunders is the best fit for the job.
The committee's role is to give the senate a recommendation on her appointment, meaning either they're in favor of her appointment, against it, or the committee could also not make a recommendation at all.
Critics of Saunders said she isn't the best candidate, given her previous work in charter schools.
Here is a letter to the Senate from the Vermont Superintendents Association opposing Saunders's appointment.
However, Saunders said she's well qualified for the job.
"Over nearly two decades of education leadership, I have focused on developing a shared vision for a more just and inclusive future for all students to have access to a great public school," said Saunders before the committee.
Prior to coming to Vermont, Saunders worked in Florida with the Broward County Public School system. Here is a letter the school board submitted to the senate recommending Saunders for the job.
Saunders can continue to serve in the role as the acting secretary until a vote goes before the entirety of the Senate.
It's unclear when an official vote will be called in the Senate, and when it is, she would need approval from the majority of the Senate to officially become secretary.
The Senate's education committee is expected to have a possible vote on the recommendation on Wednesday.