As the Senate confirmed Betsy DeVos as President Trump's education secretary by a vote of 51-50, education leaders in West Michigan are as divided as the Senate on her appointment. While Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Theresa Weatherall Neal issued a statement supporting DeVos as Education Secretary, Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Justin Jennings was critical of the decision.
“My first reaction is really disappointment for our kids because we really need somebody who is knowledgeable and who has been in the classroom in that position and that is not what we got,” Jennings said. Grand Rapids Education Association President Mary Bouwense says, while she is discouraged by the appointment of DeVos, the fight for public education continues.
“Disappointed in her appointment yes," Bouwense said. "But I guess we have seen public educators galvanize over this issue, so what I’m guessing is that energy will continue to make sure that whatever happens in the education world is good for public schools and public students.”
Director of the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Tim Schmig disagrees and supports the pick.
“I think that she is a very good choice, I think she has been involved in education at various levels,” Schmig said.
Dr. Susan English is the Dean of Education at Aquinas College. She says regardless of politics, Betsy DeVos as education secretary could only be a positive for the region.
“Putting Betsy DeVos and any of her agendas aside, I would hope that having anyone from West Michigan in a very influential federal position would only help West Michigan,” English said.
However, she says, the large debate over the privatization of education and the voucher system isn’t cutting to the heart of the matter.
“Education is complex. Adding money or taking away money-- adding regulations and taking away regulations--doesn’t solve or deepest problems. I would say the deepest problems in education are inequities, funding, access to quality teachers…some of those are more societal than they are actually pedagogical or educational.”
While the Senate tied 50-50 on the DeVos nomination, Vice President Pence cast the deciding vote in favor of her appointment.
