NEWS

Senate approves new education secretary

Matthew Albright
The News Journal

The Delaware Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve Gov. Jack Markell's nomination of Steven Godowsky for Secretary of Education on Wednesday, but only after its members made clear they expect him to be more approachable than his predecessor, Mark Murphy.

"You are definitely a ray of light," said Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New Castle. "We've been eager for better leadership in education, and I think you're the right person."

Only two senators, Colin Bonini, R-Dover, and Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, voted against approving Godowsky.

Several lawmakers said Murphy and his Department of Education did not communicate clearly and did not listen to the concerns of teachers and local school leaders.

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, said the department had been "rudderless" and asked Godowsky how he would mend fences with school leaders and teachers.

Godowsky said one of his main priorities was improving the department's communication and strengthening relationships with educators and others involved in schools.

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"I wasn't there, and I can't speak for who did what, but clearly we do need to better," he said.

The Department of Education, empowered by federal initiatives like a Race to the Top grant, implemented a slew of new programs during Murphy's tenure. Some of those stirred outrage, like the plan to improve three Priority Schools in Wilmington, a new, tougher standardized test and teacher evaluations tied to test scores.

Former state education secretary Mark Murphy speaks during a meeting of the Wilmington City Council Education Committee, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014.

Murphy's critics said the department was obsessed with using test scores to label and punish schools and teachers. They said state officials were more concerned with following a school reform ideology than listening to what educators wanted.

Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, said he hopes Godowsky can heal the divides that have emerged during the rush of reforms the state implemented under Murphy.

"Sometimes we are so focused on getting things done and pushing the agenda that's before us," Godowsky told legislators. "Right now, at this time and place, it seems to me that everyone wants a seat at the table."

The Delaware State Education Association teachers union voted no confidence in Murphy, and a survey by the Delaware Association of School Administrators found most school leaders didn't trust the department.

In a piece published in the News Journal on Monday, leaders of both those groups endorsed Godowsky. They were joined by the head of the school superintendents group and Delaware School Boards Association.

"As a cabinet secretary, it is understood that his role is to implement the administration's education agenda," the school leaders wrote. "However, the relationships that Godowsky has built across the state may help, if he is confirmed, to lead the Department of Education through some complicated and contentious issues during the next 16 months."

Godowsky has worked for about 45 years in Delaware's education scene, starting as a special education teacher in the former A.I. DuPont School District and working his way up to superintendent of the New Castle County Vo-Tech District.

"I don't know if I'm a think-tank person, but I'm an implementer and an executor," Godowsky said.

Some lawmakers peppered Godowsky with questions about charter schools. They referenced a string of charter schools that were forced to close in recent years and asked how he would prevent such incidents.

Godowsky said he wants to see the department be more pro-active in monitoring schools so it can catch potential problems early, before they jeopardize the whole school. He pointed out that the department earlier this month placed the troubled Delaware Met on formal review only a month after it opened.

Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright. 

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