CONCORD — Education voucher opponent William Duncan of New Castle has been nominated by Gov. Maggie Hassan to the state Board of Education — and Republicans are lining up in opposition.
The Executive Council is expected to vote on Duncan’s nomination at its meeting this Thursday, May 8, said Hassan’s press secretary, William Hinkle.
Duncan is the founder of Advancing New Hampshire Public Education, a state public education advocacy organization.
Duncan filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that allows business education tax credits to fund scholarships benefitting private and religious schools, and home schooling. The suit contends an education voucher program will undermine the funding of public education.
The case was heard by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in April. Hassan filed a “friend of the court” brief siding with Duncan.
In making Duncan’s nomination, Hassan cited his support of education, said Hinkle.
“As a businessman, Bill Duncan knows the value of a strong public education system in New Hampshire. He has been a tireless advocate for college and career-ready standards supported by the business and education communities,” Hinkle said.
Duncan agrees his strength comes from seeing the value of public education from a business owner’s perspective.
“As a member of the Board of Education, I will work to make sure that all of our public schools are providing our children with the career and college preparation they need to succeed in today’s economy,” he said.
Opposition to the news was swift. Republican candidates for governor Walt Havenstein and Andrew Hemingway both expressed outrage at the nomination in statements.
“How can you be on the state Board of Education while suing the state over its existing laws?” said Hemingway, who has started an online petition to oppose the appointment.
“The state Board of Education is a place for many opinions, but it is irresponsible to appoint an anti-charter school activist to regulate something he wants to destroy,” said Havenstein.
Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfboro, also spoke out against the choice of Duncan.
“How can Mr. Duncan serve as an unbiased administrator of programs he has spent years trying to dismantle?” said Bradley.
Duncan said the Board of Education “does not have a role in administering or overseeing the voucher program, which is part of my objection to the voucher scheme. Like many people in New Hampshire, I do not believe we should be diverting limited taxpayer dollars to unaccountable private religious schools.”
Duncan said he “strongly supports” what he calls the “cooperative role” played by charter schools such as the Great Bay eLearning Charter School and the Next Charter School in Derry, “and the others that establish close working relationships with their school districts. I do have concerns about ensuring that charters schools are geographically diverse, partner with their communities and are economically sustainable.”
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