NM Ed Secretary gets no confidence vote

Associated Press

Updated: May 9, 2012 3:44 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Representatives of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation have unanimously voted "no confidence" in state Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera.

Albuquerque Journal reports ( http://bit.ly/LceeFK) that union's council of representatives approved recently a resolution that lists a dozen criticisms against Skandera, including her planned teacher evaluation system and her support for charter schools.

ATF President Ellen Bernstein said about 100 union representatives were at the meeting when the vote was taken.

Public Education Department spokesman Larry Behrens said the union is "playing politics."

The resolution is also critical of her decision to lay off dozens of Public Education Department employees and bring in some out-of-state staffers.

The vote comes as New Mexico teachers unions and Skandera have publicly attack each other over education reform proposal from Gov. Susana Martinez.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.