Oct. 18, 2007 — Less than an hour after senators voted 11 to four to reject Gov. John P. deJongh Jr.'s education commissioner nominee, Lynn Spampinato, the governor issued a statement expressing his deep disappointment with the vote.
The statement said deJongh was "tremendously disappointed with the outcome of today's vote."
"The Senate chose to vote not only against change and reform, but against the best interest of the children in our public schools," he said.
DeJongh said he understands that Spampinato was not the only person who could fill the post, but, he said, "She was my first choice from among those people who I had identified and who were willing to accept the challenges of the post, given the limitations we impose on those who work in our government."
DeJongh said he had been charged to put a team in place to carry forward the mandate he was given when he was elected. "Today's vote is clearly a setback not only to my team but to all of those who voted for change, all of those who voted to create a better Virgin Islands for us all."
DeJongh said he has been encouraged by the strong feelings for change and the demand for educational reform that have been expressed by many community members over the past several weeks. "I regret that todays vote will inevitably delay our efforts to transform public education."
DeJongh thanked Spampinato for her willingness to go through the political battle waged over her nomination, saying it was a worthy and necessary fight, which he added, was "about the children of the V.I."
Voting against Spaminato's nomination were Sens. Liston Davis, Juan Figueroa-Serville, Neville James, Norman JnBaptiste, Shawn-Michael Malone, Terrence Nelson, Usie Richards, James Weber III, Carmen Wesselhoft, Celestino White and Alvin Williams.
In favor of the nomination were Sens. Carlton Dowe, Louis Hill, Basil Ottley Jr., and Ronald Russell.
The Source will provide a complete story about the hearing later Thursday.
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