Mission accomplished. The former Navy SEAL turned Governor of Missouri Eric Greitens successfully orchestrated a state Board of Education with a vision reflecting his own. After the second attempt in nine days and a 5-3 vote, the traditionally non-partisan board ousted Dr. Margie Vandeven as Missouri's commissioner of education. Her removal was effective immediately following Friday's closed meeting and she was replaced by interim appointee Dr. Roger Dorson.
Critics of the boards' actions believe education reform and charter school expansion are likely to follow.
State Board member and Greitens appointee Eddy Justice, of Poplar Bluff, voted in favor of firing Vandeven. He said education reform is long overdue and he hopes to improve Missouri's public school system while driving economic development. However, Poplar Bluff R-1 Superintendent Scott Dill is disappointed in the state board's swift actions and thinks the governor's political aspirations are the cause of Vandeven's upheaval.
"I refuse to see this as anything but a blatant attack on the interests of our public school system," said Dill, who added the state Board typically consists of lay persons who are not required to have any experience or background in education, but, historically, has leaned on the advice and guidance of professional educators when making decisions.
"Our work requires collaboration between disparate groups, who through hard work and challenging conversations, arrive at a consensus and move forward," Dill said. "At least that is how it has worked to this point. We are now in uncharted territory."
Dill said Friday's decision means "education is and will remain a battleground for politics." While there have always been political aspects regarding education, in Dill's opinion, it has never been so blatantly partisan or venal.
"I believe the governor is pursuing an agenda motivated by political ambition, servicing the needs of his career rather than the needs of our students," he said. "I believe proponents of his agenda will view this as a win. I do not, I cannot, share their opinions."
Dill said students and teachers will not be immediately effected by the controversy, stating the situation is about broader issues that will play out, over the course of years, in Missouri's legislative chambers and courts.
"The school will continue to do what is best for the children entrusted to our care," Dill said. "I do not believe that anyone, on either side of this discussion, would do anything to disrupt education."
Justice, on the other hand, is pleased. He said he is excited about the future of Missouri's students and believes a change in leadership is the "beginning of something big."
"Today, we began the process of fulfilling our promise to our kids," Justice said. "Over the next few months, the state Board of Education will search to find a leader for DESE (Department of Elementary And Secondary Education) that will pragmatically direct the future of Missouri education in a productive direction that will benefit our kids and expand our economy."
Justice said by "expand our economy," he does not mean to turn Missouri's public school system into a profitable business, but to produce qualified graduates.
"Children who can read proficiently and early are proven to have better odds of being success-ready when they exit our education system," he said. "They are also much less likely to be incarcerated. Both of those factors are positive effects on our economy."
Justice said for too long, Missouri has lingered at the middle or back of academic progress.
"Many quality teachers work hard hours for too little money, doing their very best to overcome state bureaucracy that is, at best, slow to react to the needs of our kids," Justice said. "Those who defend the status quo should be worried. Quality educators should not."
Upon her termination, Vandeven issued a statement discussing the situation. She said while the commissioner's job is not usually a political role, currently political forces are eclipsing educational decisions.
"Public education matters," Vandeven said. "Every child matters; rich or poor, urban, suburban or rural; those who easily excel and those who have disabilities. If we operate strong public schools, we produce a stronger Missouri; a state with higher achievement, with more talented workers, with better neighbors and with lower crime."
During his campaign, Greitens spoke in favor of expanding charter school programs and academic options, such as education savings accounts, which would allow students with special needs to enroll in private institutions using state tax dollars. A large number of individuals think academic choice through savings accounts and voucher programs will ultimately weaken public education by giving state funds to private schools.
While Greitens is keeping mum about whom he hopes to see replace Vandeven, speculation suggests Kenneth Zeff could be a likely favorite. The charter school proponent from Georgia visited Missouri during the summer at the expense of Greitens' campaign, according to the Missouri Ethics Commission and first reported by the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Zeff was reimbursed for airfare, lodging, and a rental car totaling about $1,600.
"I am obviously disappointed by the way the situation evolved and eventually concluded," Dill added. "I, along with many others around the state, hoped for intervention from the court system to allow time for the natural checks and balances to be applied. The actions of the governor have been purposeful, aimed at this objective."
Senate Education Committee Chair Gary Romine, reportedly said last week any of Greitens five appointees voting in favor of firing Vandeven will not receive Senate confirmation when it reconvenes in January. Justice said his decision was based on what he felt is best for Missouri's students, not what is best for his Senate confirmation.