Gov. Reynolds’ pick to lead state education confirmed over Democrats’ opposition

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds’ pick to lead the state education department — former Trump administration official McKenzie Snow — was confirmed Tuesday by the Republican-majority Iowa Senate over Democrats’ opposition, largely due to Snow’s limited experience in public education.

All 34 Senate Republicans voted to confirm Snow, which satisfied the two-thirds approval required to confirm her as director of the Iowa Department of Education.

Snow has been serving in the post since June, when she was appointed by Reynolds to replace Chad Aldis, who served in the post for just three months before resigning for what the governor’s office said were family reasons.

All 15 Senate Democrats present Tuesday voted against the nomination, arguing Snow’s dearth of experience in public education disqualifies her for the position. But with just 16 members in the chamber, Iowa Democrats no longer have enough members to force the Senate to reject a gubernatorial nomination.

“Iowans can do better. Iowa kids, parents and teachers deserve better,” said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat and former college professor from Ames.

“We deserve someone who knows Iowa schools, who has experience in the classroom, who is an advocate for school resources, who communicates effectively, and who is dedicated to Iowa kids for the long term,” Quirmbach said during debate. “McKenzie Snow does not measure up by these criteria.”

Snow most recently served as deputy secretary of education in Virginia. Before that, she worked as New Hampshire’s division director of academics and assessment, special education, career development, adult education, wellness, and nutrition; as a special assistant to the president at the White House Domestic Policy Council; and as senior adviser at the Office of Management and Budget, and policy director at the U.S. Department of Education, according to Reynolds’ office.

A native of Kansas, Snow’s only classroom experience was teaching remedial courses at the University of the Free State in South Africa.

Senate Republicans argued classroom experience is not necessary for the job.

Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, said he is pleased Snow will be director as, he hopes, the state undergoes a review of public school curriculum.

“Because every one of us in this Senate chamber wants to improve student performance,” Zaun said. “Funding for education is going up every year. … But funding doesn’t match with what student performance is. That’s why we need someone like Director Snow that thinks outside of the box, that obviously has a background in reforms.”

Democrats oppose other nominations

Senate Democrats no longer have the numbers to take down gubernatorial nominations. Their votes Tuesday suggested two more Reynolds’ nominees might have been endangered if Democrats still had that authority.

All 15 Democrats present voted against Reynolds’ nomination of Douglas Hoisington to the Iowa Board of Medicine. Sen. Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, expressed frustration with the board’s lack of response to Iowans’ concerns in the past, and said she had hoped Reynolds would appoint an obstetric physician, given the possible changes to the state’s abortion law.

Abortion is legal in Iowa until roughly the 20th week of pregnancy, but the Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled to consider the constitutionality of legislation that would prohibit abortions once a fetus’ heartbeat can be detected, which supporters of such measures say is around the sixth week of pregnancy, often before a woman is aware she is pregnant.

And nearly all Democrats present — 14 out of 15 — voted against the reappointment of Catherine Lucas to the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board. Democrats have criticized Reynolds for failing to fill vacant positions on the board, and for not adhering to a requirement the board be politically balanced.

Two nominations tabled

Two of Reynolds’ nominees, Kayla Lyon as director of the Department of Natural Resources and Jason Meyers to the Board of Medicine, were on the Senate debate schedule but were not considered Tuesday. The Senate can consider their nominations at another date.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com