N.J. Senate panel approves Bret Schundler as education chief

By Jeanette M. Rundquist

March 01, 2010, 6:44PM

AMANDA BROWN/THE STAR-LEDGERBret Schundler, left, was approved today by the Senate Judiciary committee to be commissioner of the Department of Education. Schundler appears in a January photo as his appointment was announced.

TRENTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved acting Education commissioner Bret Schundler’s nomination — but not before handing him a rebuff.

Following a second day of grilling about his views on everything from the teaching of evolution to school funding, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-0 in favor of Schundler’s nomination to the Senate, but noted it was doing so without recommendation.

Chairman Nicholas Scutari, (D-Union), who questioned Schundler about his views on topics such as sex education and teaching about homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle, said he has "some issues reconciling (Schundler’s) personal ideological views on things." He voted to release the nomination but "reserved the right to vote differently on the floor."

Scutari later said the panel did not feel it could recommend Gov. Chris Christie’s pick to head the state Education Department to the full Senate.

Other senators, however, expressed more support.

"I’m looking forward to working with you," Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) said as she cast her vote.

The Republican Schundler, 51, was the chief operating officer of the liberal arts King’s College in New York City. His education credentials go back further, however: While mayor of Jersey City in the 1990s, he was the first president of the board of the Golden Door Charter School, one of the state’s earliest charter schools.

Schundler, who brought his 11-year-old son, Hans, to the hearing, said afterward he was "disappointed" by the lack of recommendation.

Whenever questioned about his personal opinions, he told the panel his job would be to support the governor’s policies, and legislation — not to advocate his own views.

Repeatedly expressing his passion for education, Schundler said he looks forward to improving the state’s schools. Among other things, he supports legislation to give parents more school choice and advocates setting high standards, aligning them with assessments and giving districts latitude to reach them.

"What really excites me is having all of our schools improved," Schundler said. "We have the possibility to have New Jersey lead the nation in educational opportunity for every child."

The full Senate may consider his nomination as early as March 11

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