HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The local reaction to President-elect Donald Trump naming Betsy DeVos to become Education Secretary has been positive.
WHTC News caught up with former Michigan Senator Wayne Kuipers Wednesday evening at Devos Fieldhouse. Kuipers has been volunteering with the Holland Rescue Mission for over 20 years and says he thinks it’s a great move. “Betsy’s been a leader n the education field across the country. Her and her organization have pushed for educations changes that I think will raise the bar for all students and I’m excited to see what she can do on the national level.”
Zeeland Congressman Bill Huizenga says Betsy Devos will be a great Secretary of Education. “She and her family have been passionate about education and reform for decades. This is the type of change that needs to happen. Reeling in Washington, D.C. and allowing states and local school boards to have the power that they need to go and and give kids a quality education.”
Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer told WHTC’s Mary Ellen Murphy that’s it’s amazing someone from West Michigan has been nominated for the President’s cabinet. “This is so wonderful and amazing for our area to have a voice at the table. Someone that cares so much for their country and for doing the right thing, to be a voice for the world of education.”
The 58-year-old is considered a leader in the school choice movement.
With her leadership, Trump vows to reform the education system and “break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back.”
In a statement, Trump calls the Michigan-native a “brilliant and passionate education advocate.”
