DES MOINES, Iowa — In a public hearing Tuesday morning, Iowans and Senators alike had an opportunity to directly share their thoughts on the work Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow has done.
Snow was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in June after taking over for Chad Aldis, who resigned due to "family reasons."
Notable education leaders in Iowa spoke in favor of Snow, however, the director still faced criticism from the public.
The public had thirty minutes for input, with a consistent back and forth of those speaking for and against Snow's appointment.
Those speaking against Snow's appointment questioned her ability to perform her position without prior classroom experience.
"Someone with her level of education and years of experience would make around $55,000 a year, at one of Iowa's larger public-school districts or an AEA," said Jessica Roman, who's been an Iowa educator for 20+ years. "Ms. Snow is not qualified to hold any of those positions."
Education leaders like Dr. Ian Roberts, the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, and John Robbins, President of the Iowa State Board of Education, commended Snow for her work.
"What are students learning? What are teachers teaching? And do we have the right critical resources?" Roberts said. "Director Snow has demonstrated that she has an awareness of all of those."
The rest of the meeting consisted of questions from Senators.
Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Story, questioned Snow on her qualifications and previous experience.
Snow responded highlighting her previous work serving in the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, New Hampshire Department of Education and as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Education.
Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Marion, questioned how Snow is addressing challenges faced by Iowa's Department of Education.
"The first of which is, of course, that we're an agency continuing to reorient our work after a global pandemic," Snow responded. "Then, of course, that we have experienced multiple leadership transitions across all levels of the organization."
Overall, those asking for a "no" vote continued to question if the role is a right fit for Snow.
"Throughout these conversations the voices that have been actively missing in this conversation are the people that are doing the work every single day in every classroom and every home across the state," Roman said.
Gov. Reynolds' Chief of Staff, Taryn Frideres, spoke in favor of Snow, sharing her work compared to previous candidates.
"While each were uniquely qualified to lead during times of significant challenge and change, neither rose to the level of director Snow, yet today some members of this chamber are unfairly holding her to a different standard," Frideres said.
Gov. Reynolds said in a statement after Tuesdays hearing:
“McKenzie Snow’s experience and expertise as an education leader at the state level, U.S. Department of Education, and the White House has prepared her well to lead Iowa’s Department of Education. The work she is already leading with superintendents, teachers, families, and stakeholders across the state to transform education will have a lifelong impact on our students. These are the reasons I appointed her as Director of the Department of Education, and I look forward to her confirmation and her continued exemplary service to Iowa’s students and schools.”
The subcommittee voted to confirm the appointment Snow in a vote of 2-1.