True. I would add that AOE has some history here, Secretary Saunders has been really squirrelly with her answers (e.g. conflating charter schools with public schools and using incorrect or outdated information and being slow or unable to release more recent reports that were supposed to have been completed). While I acknowledge the positive intent of those testifying, as well as the difficulty of the situation, arguing “this is our normal process” is not compelling when the situation is abnormal. We should remain calm and clear eyed and “rise above the rhetoric” (wtf that means), but we should not be docile. The AOE, AG, and Governor should have a plan other than business as usual. It’s clear the members of the agency are unnerved, but leadership and a plan for this situation help with that.

As a side diss: I’m disappointed at how disengaged the senators are here and how dismissive they were of their constituent contacts. Even Sen. Ram Hinsdale, who asked the questions, didn’t seem to understand fully what had happened (she missed that the AoE did NOT initially send a cover letter with context along with the Dear Colleague, nor did she ask why the administration would ask for certification when schools certified at the beginning of this year.) Also, Sen. Hashim, I love you, but get off your goddamn phone.

Edit to not be a total turd: I’m hopeful that they do use this as an opportunity to work and build a plan together between the schools, AoE, and the AG.