More fun and games with the Public Education Department

I’ll bet Hanna Skandera is wondering what she’s gotten herself into at this point. The point of view of New Mexico’s education establishment seems to be: we’re 49th and we’re proud, take your high-falutin’ reform ideas elsewhere….

The latest issue is the definition of “educator.” According to this morning’s Albuquerque Journal, the latest demand from the unions and their supporters is that Skandera prove that she is an “educator.” According to the article, Skandera “Skandera also was a lecturer and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy in 2002 and 2003.” I’m not sure what further questions there might be on the topic.

Of course, our Constitutional requirement that the head of PED be an “educator” is ridiculous. It’s like demanding that every pro football coach or baseball manager have played in the NFL or major leagues (many coaches and managers do not). While both skills are important, the idea that teaching makes someone qualified to manage a $3 billion bureaucracy is silly (and vice-versa).

The unions are simply doing everything they can to frustrate and wear down Skandera and Gov. Martinez. For the good of New Mexico’s children, this cannot happen.