Statement from AFT-WV President Christine Campbell on Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to reject Betsy DeVos’ confirmation:
“Teachers and service personnel across West Virginia are grateful that Senator Manchin understands the educational needs of rural children and recognizes that Betsy DeVos does not. We thank Senator Manchin for listening to his constituents regarding their grave concerns about the direction DeVos would take America’s schools."
“DeVos’ devotion to for-profit charter schools and vouchers, not public schools, would do nothing to help West Virginia children. Our students desperately need targeted resources in their neighborhood schools to overcome the consequences of poverty, not privatization that would draw away needed funding. Betsy DeVos’ lack of qualifications and inexperience with public education renders her unfit to be our nation’s top education official."
“AFT West Virginia has worked with Senator Manchin on education issues throughout the state, especially in McDowell County with Reconnecting McDowell. The project matches the needs of disadvantaged, rural students and their families with partners who are providing healthcare, social and emotional supports and academic interventions. This is what rural communities need, not ideological schemes that attempt to destroy the quality education our students deserve."