|
New Hampshire Democratic Leaders Release Joint Letter Expressing Loss of All Confidence in Frank Edelblut as Commissioner of the Department of Education
Concord, N.H. — Democratic leaders of the New Hampshire State House and Senate have released a letter stating a total loss of confidence in New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, Frank Edelblut, and his ability to lead the Department of Education. This follows a letter published over the weekend in which the commissioner made repeated attacks against New Hampshire teachers and educators and engaged in bigoted, anti-transgender, anti-Black, and homophobic rhetoric.
Dear Governor Sununu,
New Hampshire families need to know that this state has the best interests of their children at heart. Education is fundamental to a functioning society and access to a stable, quality education should be the primary objective of our Department of Education. Despite this, Commissioner Frank Edelblut is actively working to sow distrust in public schools and systematically dismantle public education.
As a result of his abdication of leadership, we have lost complete and total confidence in Commissioner Edelblut and call on you to denounce the divisive behavior and rhetoric which is harming the Department of Education.
There is no shortage of challenges facing New Hampshire students, teachers, and schools in their work of ensuring the next generation is ready for a twenty-first century life. The recent defunding of the Croydon, NH school district, the out-of-control spending of a new voucher program, and the shameful way this administration has enacted a state-sponsored educational censorship program – the list goes on.
These problems require real leadership at the Department of Education, but instead of facing these challenges of his own making, Frank Edelblut has been outspoken in making New Hampshire students and teachers public enemy number one.
Frank Edelblut does not put the best interests of New Hampshire children first. His goal is purely to enact an extreme, far-right agenda to further his own personal political ambitions, whatever they may be. He is playing games with the very futures of our children and it is simply unacceptable.
In his writing, Edelblut cites “Black Lives Matter,” “Disney,” and “Socialism” — political boogeymen and racist dog whistles popular on extreme cable talk shows — as criminal associates of so-called activist teachers.
These are the words and actions of a politician seeking to divide, not a public servant.
The disturbing rhetoric employed by Frank Edelblut, and the implication that any unnamed local teacher should be the target of suspicion in their community, underscores his profound disrespect for the children, parents, and teachers of New Hampshire public schools. These attempts to sow community distrust are dangerous and destructive to our state as a whole.
Since you reappointed Edelblut as Commissioner of Education in February of 2021, he has repeatedly engaged in disturbing behavior unfit for the position he holds. Last summer, Edelblut promised you he would use better discretion after inappropriately meeting with a fringe anti-government group in his official capacity. Since then, Edelblut has created a department website to report and intimidate New Hampshire teachers and espoused radical views in a statewide op-ed, activities that spotlight Edelblut Incredibly disturbing activities since his reappointment. We call on you to denounce Commissioner Edelblut’s divisive activities, rein in the Commissioner’s attacks on New Hampshire teachers, and ultimately replace him with someone qualified to lead the Department.
The Undersigned,
Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy
House Democratic Leader David Cote
Background:
Concord Monitor: Education Commissioner says ‘activist educators’ are betraying trust and families’ values
InDepthNH: Education Commissioner Edelblut Under Fire For Speech at ‘Fringe’ Group Meeting
Valley News: Education Chief Edelblut Used Position to Help Croydon Board Member’s Husband
NHPR: At conservative forum, Education Commissioner Edelblut lends support to parents fighting masks, other school policies
Granite State Progress: Governor Sununu’s Handpicked Education Commissioner Still Engaging in Partisan Politics, Keynote Speaker at Meeting to “Further the Right’s Agenda Within the State”
###
|
