A former representative of Donald Trump and “school choice” supporter has been selected by Governor Kim Reynolds to lead the Iowa Department of Education. Less than four months after Reynolds appointed director Chad Aldis, who started his position in March, there has been a dramatic change of power. Aldis’ resignation was announced by the governor’s office on Thursday morning and was “for family reasons.”
McKenzie Snow, the Virginia Department of Education’s deputy director and a longtime supporter of state-funded scholarships for private schools, has been hired by Iowa in his place. On June 26, Snow will begin serving as the director in Iowa Department. Snow stated in a news release that “all children deserve a great education that inspires and prepares them for the future,” regardless of their upbringing or zip code. “Together, we will strengthen Iowa’s commitment to educational excellence for all children,” the statement reads.
Students in Iowa will be able to pay for private school tuition for the first time this autumn. More students than officials anticipated—more than 17,000—have applied for the state’s new school savings accounts. Snow will be responsible for overseeing that programme as well as other important education-related changes made this year in Iowa Department, such as the prohibition on sex-related textbooks and the limitations on LGBTQ-related coursework.
Who is the new director of the Iowa Department of Education, McKenzie Snow?
Snow has held a number of state and federal posts related to education policy. According to The Virginia Mercury Snow worked for Republican Jeb Bush’s research group, the Foundation for Excellence in Education. She supported measures that would allow more students to attend charter schools and supported state-funded education savings accounts.
Snow had a job in the Trump administration’s Department of Education. According to Forbes, Snow oversaw the creation of former President Donald Trump’s “Education Freedom Scholarships” programme, which would have given donors to charities that provide scholarships for private schools tax breaks. Before being chosen as the Virginia Department of Education’s deputy director in 2022, Snow worked for the New Hampshire Department of Education.
Director of Iowa Department of Education resigns after 3 months
Because of her background, according to Reynolds, Snow is “the right leader for this promising time.” “Her leadership experience over state education departments in both Virginia and New Hampshire, at the U.S. Department of Education, and for the White House has earned her the respect of educators and policymakers alike,” Reynolds stated in a press release.
Why did Chad Aldis resign?
In March, Aldis took over for outgoing Department of Education Director Ann Lebo. Aldis stated in his resignation letter dated May 26 that being named department director was “the honour of a lifetime.” He wrote, “I appreciate the trust you placed in me to serve in this important job benefiting Iowa schoolchildren. “Therefore, it is with regret that I submit this letter of resignation effective June 30 due to family reasons.”
In the news announcement on Thursday, Reynolds expressed gratitude for Aldis’ labour. “Although a leadership change at this time was unexpected, I understand the justification behind it. Reynolds stated, “I want to thank Director Aldis for his service and wish him and his family the best.
