Educators Oppose Blunt’s Choice for State Board of Education

It’s the first time in state history that educators don’t agree with the Governor’s choice in the newest leader of state education… Governor Matt Blunt’s appointee Donayle Whitmore-Smith is already at work attending state board meetings, but spokesman Brent Gahn with the School Boards’ Association says the state’s largest education organizations don’t want her. Gahn says Whitmore-Smith’s support of vouchers and tuition tax credits undermines public education because that would be diverting public funding away from public schools and toward private institutions. But Governor Blunt’s spokesman Brian Hauswirth says Whitmore-Smith is more than qualified to serve on the Education Board and points out she has worked with children and has even established and arts and science academy. He says Blunt’s disappointed state educators aren’t giving his appointee a chance before they criticize her.