In a spirited second day of hearings, some senators continued to grill Schundler on whether his conservatism and religious beliefs would affect his policy-making. Written praise for the acting commissioner from a diverse array of education and community organizations also was put on the record.
Asked by committee chairman Nicholas P. Scutari (D., Union) about a 2001 Christian Coalition survey he took during his first gubernatorial bid, Schundler acknowledged that he checked "oppose" to indicate his disapproval of public schools teaching homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. He said he answered "support" for advocating abstinence over safe sex in sex-education classes.
Nevertheless, Schundler - who was chief operating officer at King's College, a Christian liberal-arts school in Manhattan, before assuming the state's top school post in January - repeatedly said he would carry out Christie's policies and the laws of the state.
"I will be happy to act as your agent," Schundler, 51, told the legislators. Under questioning, he said he considered himself more of a libertarian than a social conservative.
The committee members peppered Schundler with questions about his support of school choice, including charter schools and vouchers in the form of tax credits.
He said he favored both and helped found the Golden Door Charter School in Jersey City when he was mayor. While charter schools "have some advantages," Schundler said, "there is no such thing as a cure-all." He said unsuccessful charters should be closed.
He spoke in favor of end-of-course state exams, which he noted the Corzine administration had been moving toward, as opposed to the current standardized high school tests.
He said he supported giving districts and parents the ability to shape local education.
