Boucher: Why Is Governor Malloy Undermining Teachers Again?

Article as it appeared in the Ridgefield Press

State Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton), Ranking member of the Education Committee and State Senate Minority leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement this week re: Governor Malloy’s veto of HB 6977; AN ACT ESTABLISHING QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.

“Since taking office in January 2011, Governor Malloy has been highly critical of teachers and retired teachers. Today’s veto of an important measure will surely give them cause for concern.

“The bill simply requires the state education commissioner be a qualified person with a master’s or a higher degree in an education-related field. Additionally, they must have at least five years as a teacher and three years as an administrator in a school or district in Connecticut or another state. Currently, the commissioner is not required to hold a degree or have any experience in education.

“Why would he veto this valid request? Apparently, it ‘restricts’ his authority to pick a new candidate,” said Boucher and Fasano.

When announcing the new commissioner, Dianna Wentzell, Malloy stated: “I made it clear that we were looking from day one for someone who has been a teacher.” Previously, the governor had been criticized by teachers for his prior commissioner, Stefan Pryor, who lacked teaching experience.

Senator Fasano said, “In the words of Queen, another one bites the dust. Governor Malloy is backpedaling on another policy he seemed to support not too long ago. The governor made education experience a priority when searching for his new commissioner, after distancing himself from a previous controversial choice. So why reject a bipartisan effort to ensure that education experience is always a priority?”

Senator Boucher said, “If you recall in in February of 2012 Malloy said in order for teachers to earn tenure, ‘basically the only thing you have to do is show up for four years. Do that, and tenure is yours.’ Sadly, the insults continue. We encourage the state board of education and the Governor to at least follow the spirit of this legislation- supported unanimously in the legislature – which sought to bring the highest possible standards to one of the most important positions in our state government. Which requires the depth of experience and knowledge in the field of education. It is important to the future of education in our state.”