A Mid-Michigan school district is urging Congress to reject Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education.
The East Lansing Board of Education passed a resolution this week calling DeVos unfit for the position. The resolution by board members Erin Graham and Karen Hoene says the West Michigan billionaire has never worked in public school or sent her children to public schools. Hoene and Graham's resolution also says, "Betsy DeVos has a troubling history of financially supporting organizations whose actions are detrimental to LGBTQ students."
DeVos, an advocate for non-public charter schools and voucher programs, said during her senate confirmation hearing that she would fight for public schools. "If confirmed I will be a strong advocate for great public schools. But if a school is troubled or not safe or not a good fit for a child --- perhaps they have a special need that's going unmet --- we should support a parent's right to enroll their child in a high-quality alternative." said DeVos.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education also passed a unanimous resolution Wednesday against DeVos. The trustees called her unfit and asked President Donald Trump to find a new nominee.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will vote on Devos' nomination Tuesday, January 31. Democrats requested a second confirmation hearing before the vote, but that request was denied.
