The Iowa Senate recently confirmed an appointment to lead the Department of Education.

Iowa native Chad Aldis was tabbed by Governor Kim Reynolds to be the Director of the Department of Education earlier this year. The Senate confirmed that appointment earlier this week. Sources say Aldis previously worked as the executive director of School Choice Ohio and has never served as a teacher or administrator. 

Earlier in the Iowa Legislative session, Republican lawmakers passed a bill that was signed by Reynolds for the “Students First Act” allowing certain Iowans to use public funds for their child to attend a private school. Greene County School District Superintendent Brett Abbotts continues to stand his ground of “public funds should be used in public schools” and was initially concerned with Reynolds’ choice to lead the Department of Education.

“It’ll challenge a lot of our philosophical beliefs and we’re going to need to figure out what we’re going to do as a system to be able to work within and around the guidelines that we’re eventually going to receive. We have to support our kids and we have to support our own teachers here, and just do the best that we can within the rules that we’re given.”

It typically takes a majority of Iowa Senators to confirm the governor’s appointments, and the Republicans have a supermajority in the Senate, meaning they can confirm appointments without needing Democrats to agree.