The California Senate votes today on the confirmation of former San Diego school superintendent Alan Bersin as the governor's education secretary. Bersin has already held the job for a year. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
California's education secretary advises the Governor on matters affecting millions of public school students. Bersin is a controversial figure here in San Diego where his education reform plans are both applauded and criticized. Bersin opponent and school board member John de Beck says the former superintendent's top-down approach to education may now impact school districts statewide.
John de Beck: "I don't think he's going to change at all. I mean, that's not him. I think its his character that we've already seen down here."
The Governor also wants Bersin to serve on the powerful state board of education. An education advisor has never served on the state board at the same time. Some political observers believe the Governor wants Bersin to be a major player in shaping education policy.
