MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont Senate voted Tuesday morning 19 to 9 to reject Gov. Phil Scott’s pick of Zoie Saunders as education secretary.
The unprecedented move comes after the governor over the weekend asked lawmakers to delay their confirmation vote because the process over Saunders’ pick had become too politicized. Following Tuesday’s vote, the governor immediately issued a statement naming Saunders interim secretary of education.
“Zoie’s professionalism, grace, and class throughout this process, despite the unfair, ill-informed treatment, has been truly remarkable and honorable. I’m very proud of her and how she has handled these hurtful, false attacks, which makes me and my entire team more confident than ever that she is the right person for the job,” Scott said.
Saunders comes to the Green Mountain State by way of Florida, where she served with the city of Fort Lauderdale and managed finances for charter schools. However, her appointment was met with concerns she has never worked in a public school directly with students. Others are concerned she will value independent and private schools, which could chip away at public school funding.