By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Superintendent Francis Scruci couldn’t help but think of a comedy sketch when Betsy DeVos, nominee for Education Secretary, testified last week that guns may be needed in schools to defend against grizzly bears.
“I looked at a lot of the testimony and all I could envision is a Saturday Night Live skit,” similar to the Sarah Palin “I can see Russia from my backyard” sketch, Scruci said.
It would be funny – if it weren’t so scary.
When the Bowling Green Board of Education met last week, it was a sobering thought that DeVos’ confirmation hearing was going on at the same time in Washington, D.C.
“She is definitely not a friend of public education,” Scruci said. “Her appointment would change the landscape for public education.”
DeVos is a multi-billionaire, who never attended public schools, has been a cheerleader for charter schools, and reportedly owes the state of Ohio $5 million for campaign issues. At the school board meeting, Scruci asked anyone who cares about public education to write letters and make phone calls expressing their concerns to legislators about her appointment.
“I became even more concerned during the hearings,” Scruci said later last week.
Scruci said his comments about DeVos have led to at least one suggestion that he be careful about expressing himself on political issues.
“My feelings have absolutely nothing to do with politics,” he said Friday afternoon. “This is strictly from an education point of view. Her track record has been anti-public schools. To replace public education with for-profit options is not a good thing.”
DeVos’ testimony last week showed some serious gaps her in education about education. Her answers reflected an unawareness of federal laws providing education for children with disabilities, and protection against harassment and bullying. She consistently said that many decisions are best left to the states – seemingly unaware that they were federal laws providing for these children.
Scruci was also troubled that DeVos was unaware of basic education terms regarding performance assessments. She did not know the difference between growth (how much students have learned over a period) and proficiency (which measures how many students reached a specific score).
“To not know the difference between proficiency and growth further emphasizes what she doesn’t know,” Scruci said. “How can some be confident that she can lead education in the U.S.?”
DeVos’ background is strictly in charter school systems. Many public education officials see charter systems as schools that take away public funding but don’t have to meet the same standards as public schools. DeVos did, however, make substantial financial contributions to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
“I’m sure there was a reason she was nominated, but I can’t believe it was based on her education,” Scruci said.
DeVos has never worked in schools, never had children in public schools, and never was educated to teach, Scruci said. She has spoken with educators and children about schools. Scruci compared her experience as meaning that anyone who has spent time with kids can do the job. “That qualifies them to make academic decisions,” he said with sarcasm.
“This is not party politics. It’s strictly, do you believe in public schools or not,” Scruci said.
Scruci is comforted by the fact that the Bowling Green area has a state legislator who looks out for public schools. “We have a strong advocate in Randy Gardner,” he said.
Scruci is confident that there are others at the state and national level who will stand up for public education.
“All we can do is sit back and pray that there are some checks and balances here so we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
