GOP: Duncan is 'Radical Anti-School Choice Activist'

A political firestorm is brewing over Gov. Maggie Hassan's nomination of Bill Duncan to sit on the state Board of Education.

This appointment typically occurs with something on the order of yawns at the New Hampshire Statehouse, but Duncan has collected some Republican critics over his fight against the state's education tax credit program.

Duncan, of Advancing New Hampshire Public Education, won a trial court decision against the law and that lawsuit was heard last month by the state Supreme Court.

Walt Havenstein, a Republican running for governor, called on Hassan on Monday to withdraw Duncan's nomination.

New Hampshire Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn also criticized Duncan as a nominee for the post.

"Gov. Maggie Hassan's decision to nominate somebody to the Board of Education who is suing our state to end this worthy program is another example of her elitist and callous disregard for the most vulnerable students in our community," Horn said in a statement. "William Duncan is a radical anti-school choice activist who has led the charge to deny children access to the best possible educational opportunities regardless of family income. He is the wrong person for this important position and the governor should immediately withdraw his shameful nomination."

Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, issued a statement supporting Duncan for the Board of Education.

"Anyone who has ever spoken to Bill Duncan or read his blog about education knows that he's a reasonable, thoughtful, committed advocate for effective public education," Fuller Clark said. "As a supporter of public charter schools, I believe he will do an exemplary job on the state board of education and bring a balanced and informed point of view to the task of educating our children. The state is lucky that someone of his caliber is willing to serve."

Duncan, in an email statement to Patch, offer this to say about his positions:

"As a business owner, I saw firsthand the value of a strong public education system. As a member of the Board of Education, I will work to make sure that all of our public schools are providing our children with the career and college preparation they need to succeed in today's economy. 

"The State Board of Education does not have a role in administering or overseeing the voucher program, which is part of my objection to the voucher scheme. Like many people in New Hampshire, I do not believe we should be diverting limited taxpayer dollars to unaccountable private religious schools. 

"I strongly support the cooperative role played by charters like Next Charter School in Derry, The North Country Charter Academy, MC2, the Great Bay eLearning Charter School and the others that establish close working relationships with their school districts.  I do have concerns about ensuring that charters schools are geographically diverse, partner with their communities, and are economically sustainable."