Current:Home > MarketsDaughter of late Supreme Court Justice Scalia appointed to Virginia Board of Education -GrowthInsight
Daughter of late Supreme Court Justice Scalia appointed to Virginia Board of Education
Poinbank Exchange View
Date:2025-04-07 11:29:28
The daughter of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Virginia Board of Education, drawing criticism from some Democrats who called the appointment politically motivated.
Meg Bryce, a psychology educator who unsuccessfully ran last year for an at-large seat on the Albemarle County school board, said Thursday at a business meeting that she was thankful that Youngkin chose her for the board, which is responsible for determining statewide curriculum standards, high school graduation requirements and qualifications for teachers.
“I have so admired what this board has already done to increase accountability and transparency and excellence in Virginia schools,” Bryce said. “Those are things that I have already fought for and it’s my honor and privilege and just a joy to be a part of those efforts going forward.”
Bryce grew up in Virginia and earned a doctorate in cognitive science from the University of Virginia. During her campaign for Albemarle school board, community members criticized Bryce for taking her children out of public schools in light of the pandemic, according to the Daily Progress. Bryce, described by a board member as a capstone mentor at the University of Virginia, has since been criticized by community leaders as being unfit for the position.
Del. Katrina Callsen, a Democrat from Albemarle, said in a Tweet that Bryce was “a failed Moms for Liberty candidate.” Teacher and Democratic Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg said on social media that Bryce had no credentials and “spent a year running for School Board embroiled in culture wars.”
James J. Fedderman, president of the Virginia Education Association, said Bryce’s appointment is “one more example in a long list of shortsighted, politically motivated decisions that serves to advance Gov. Youngkin’s anti-public education agenda while further endangering LGBTQIA+ students in the Commonwealth.”
Board President Grace Creasey, also appointed by Youngkin in 2022, said she is thrilled to have Bryce be a part of the group.
“Having an expert in psychology on the board with teaching experience is a great addition for navigating the most critical issues facing our public schools and youth today,” Creasey said, referencing mental health and other issues students face. “She is going to be a phenomenal addition to the board and a champion for students.”
Youngkin spokesman Christian Martinez said the governor was thankful Bryce would serve Virginians on the board, adding that she would be “instrumental in ensuring that every parent, student, and teacher receives the essential resources and support needed to thrive.”
Youngkin also tapped Ida Outlaw McPherson, a Hampton Roads-area attorney, to serve on the board, filling out the nine-member group after two seats opened up this month.
McPherson, a Howard University law school graduate, was previously appointed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to serve as the director of the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, now titled the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. She also served as the former president of the NAACP Suffolk Chapter, Creasey said.
McPherson’s community work would help her bring a critical lens to the board, Creasey said.
Fedderman said almost all of Youngkin’s appointees, including McPherson, were inexperienced with K-12 public education policy and practice, and they “lack many of the requisite credentials generally expected for a seat on that Board.”
___
Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (3964)
Related
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Attorneys for college taken over by DeSantis allies threaten to sue ‘alternate’ school
- The Supreme Court’s new term starts Monday. Here’s what you need to know
- Celtics acquire All-Star guard Jrue Holiday in deal with Trail Blazers
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- $11 million settlement reached in federal suits over police shooting of girl outside football game
- Powerball jackpot tops $1 billion ahead of next drawing
- Jailed Maldives’ ex-president transferred to house arrest after his party candidate wins presidency
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Forced kiss claim leads to ‘helplessness’ for accuser who turned to Olympics abuse-fighting agency
Ranking
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Police search for 9-year-old girl who was camping in upstate New York
- 1 mountain climber's unique mission: to scale every county peak in Florida
- Connecticut enacts its most sweeping gun control law since the Sandy Hook shooting
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- One year after deadly fan crush at Indonesia soccer stadium, families still seek justice
- In New York City, scuba divers’ passion for the sport becomes a mission to collect undersea litter
- For National Coffee Day, see top 20 US cities for coffee lovers
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Why you should read these 51 banned books now
Germany police launch probe as video appears to show Oktoberfest celebrants giving Nazi Heil Hitler salute
28 rescued in 'historic' New York storm, state of emergency to remain: Gov. Hochul
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
How researchers are using AI to save rainforest species
Taiwan unveils first domestically made submarine to help defend against possible Chinese attack
Airbnb guest who rented a room tied up, robbed Georgia homeowner at gunpoint, police say