Steinhaus confirmed as head of public education at NM
SANTA FE — The state Senate voted 37 to 4 on Wednesday to confirm the nomination of Kurt Steinhaus as secretary of public education.
Steinhaus is a former superintendent of Los Alamos, assistant secretary of public education, and teacher at Alamogordo.
“The PED really needs someone like you,” said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe.
In a committee hearing before the vote, Steinhaus, responding to questions, said critical race theory was not part of New Mexico’s social studies standards and would not be incorporated into it. to come up.
He also indicated that he supports efforts to extend the school year or learning time, a strategy that legislative analysts say can help improve educational outcomes.
“If we’ve learned anything in this pandemic,” Steinhaus said, “it’s that kids need time with their teachers.”
Republican opponents of confirmation said they were not necessarily opposed to Steinhaus but to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s educational policies, including school closings during the pandemic.
They also noted that Steinhaus is the third public education secretary since 2019.
“We failed our children,” said Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho.
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