Facing criticism from Republicans and charter school advocates, Governor Maggie Hassan maintains education activist Bill Duncan will be a good fit for the state Board of Education.
The state’s charter school advocacy group calls the pick alarming.
And Republicans say the nomination isn’t appropriate, given Duncan is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state’s education tax credit program.
Hassan, who also opposes the tax credit program, doesn’t see an issue.
“He as a citizen raised that concern about the appropriate and constitutional use of taxpayer money.”
Duncan, a retired founder of a software company, lives in New Castle and heads the advocacy group Advancing New Hampshire Public Education.
Hassan says those criticizing her nomination simply aren’t familiar with Duncan’s positions.
“Bill supports charter schools as he supports public schools, generally. And again, I think as people learn to know his record and learn to know him, they’ll see he’s just a great advocate for public education.”
The Executive Council could vote as early as Thursday on Duncan’s nomination to the seven-member board.
The board oversees the state’s education system, including authorizing charter school applications.
