Looking for Insight on Betsy DeVos' Supporters? Follow the Money

Donald Trump’s embattled education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos is striking back at critics who say she’s at odds with the public education system, producing supporters who are speaking out on her behalf. But many consider that support suspect because DeVos has contributed substantially -- directly or indirectly -- to the very people who come to her defense now.

Shortly after the president-elect announced he would choose DeVos to serve as education secretary, an intense outcry erupted over her appointment, primarily from teachers’ unions. Union officials called the former Michigan Republican Party chair “out of touch” with the public school system.

“Betsy DeVos has consistently worked against these values, and her efforts over the years have done more to undermine public education than support students,” National Education Association president Lily Eskelsen Garcia wrote.

In an email sent Monday, DeVos spokesperson Ed Patru flew to her defense, rattling off the names of high-profile individuals close to DeVos who could vouch for her commitment to public education.

Patru implied the criticisms of DeVos were misguided at best.

“One of the most persistent false narratives being pushed by Betsy’s political opponents is that support for public education and educational choice are mutually exclusive,” wrote Patru. “Nobody’s been a more forceful advocate for strengthening public education than Betsy.”

In the email, Patru attached quotes from Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who over the weekend heaped praise on DeVos and her commitment to public education.

Schuette called Trump’s appointment a wise decision.

“For 28 years, DeVos has made it her mission in life to help children — especially disadvantaged children — receive a quality education,” he wrote. “Betsy did not need to devote decades of her life to this cause. She did it because it is a labor of love, based on her strong belief that every child deserves a good education, and that education is the key to success in life.”

The problem? Since 2009 members of the DeVos family donated big time to Schuette’s attorney general candidate committee -- to the tune of $102,000. Since 2011 the DeVos family has also thrown in an extra $20,000 to the attorney general’s administrative account. 

In an email sent to Sunshine State News, Patru quoted another supporter who benefitted from DeVos' generosity: Grand Rapids Public School Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. 

Neal endorsed DeVos virtually as soon as Trump chose her, praising DeVos for her work in the GRPS. In a struggling district, Neal said, DeVos provided the financial backing schools needed to see real change, aligning with Neal’s own vision of a promising future for GRPS and its students. Despite Neal’s acknowledgement that the voucher program DeVos pushed “hurt” her district, she said she and the new education secretary shared similar goals for the future of GRPS.

But between 2012 and 2014, the Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation contributed more than $1.5 million directly to Grand Rapids Public Schools, greatly benefitting Neal. 

Not every education official in Grand Rapids seems to be on DeVos’ side. 

A local Grand Rapids blog contacted local school board members asking what their thoughts were on DeVos’ appointment. Of the nine members contacted, only two responded, simply with “No comment.” Neal remains the only local school authority who stood up for DeVos when she was nominated for the nation’s top education job. 

DeVos called the criticisms in the news severe misrepresentations.

“There’s a lot of false news out there,” she said at a Trump rally in Michigan Friday. 

Patru said part of the division over her appointment comes from politics.

“I think people understand that Democratic Party special interest groups are attacking her because of her political affiliation and because they’re still largely unwilling to accept the results of the election,” he told SSN. 

Teachers’ unions remain steadfast in their attacks, saying DeVos’ money game has no place in national education.

“She has consistently pushed a corporate agenda to privatize, de-professionalize and impose cookie-cutter solutions to public education,” National Education Association president Lily Eskelsen Garcia said. 

Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.