It’s been kind of a rough year for the Agency of Education, which would have likely warranted the Only In Journalism term “embattled” by now if there was a healthy Vermont political media ecosystem, which there is decidedly not. The Agency occasionally pops up in the press, and the news is always bad, puzzling, or both. But I have yet to see anything like an answer to the question posed in my headline.

It should have, by now. And here’s why.

The search process for a new education secretary has been going on for close to a full year. It was mid-March 2023 when Dan French, dubbed by Yours Truly “the Inspector Clouseau of the Scott Cabinet,” abruptly skedaddled. Gee, I hope it wasn’t something I said.

Specifically, it was March 17, 2023 (you needn’t ask, but yes, it was a Friday newsdump) “state officials” announced that he would, per VTDigger, “take an unspecified ‘senior leadership role’ at the Council of Chief State School Officers, an organization of state education officials.” His first day at the new gig was April 10, a little more than three weeks after the announcement of his departure from AOE. That’s an awfully quick turnaround for someone in the spheres of upper management. (The “unspecified role” turned out to be Chief Operating Officer, which sounds impressive enough. Doubtless working for a D.C.-based nonprofit is a more tee-time-friendly gig than running a short-staffed agency operating in a political minefield.)

Since then, things have meandered in a way reminiscent of a roadside DUI test. It almost makes you pine for the days when French’s hand was on the tiller.

Former deputy secretary Heather Bouchey has been the interim chief since last April, and the search for a permanent secretary has been, to borrow the words of Will Shakespeare, “more honored in the breach than the observance.” Gov. Phil Scott’s role is especially curious. When the ball’s in his court he seems in no hurry at all, but he expects a fast track when it’s somebody else’s job.

Scott waited until July 26 to formally ask the state board of education to begin the search process. He asked the board to finish the task in about eight weeks — an unrealistic timeline for a volunteer board that meets a couple times a month, and about six weeks less than it took him to write a goddamn letter.

Predictably, the board spent all of that time simply crafting a job description. The job was posted on September 25 with an application deadline of October 5, an absurdly short period of time for such a high-profile position. The deadline was later extended by a single week.

The day before the final deadline, Seven Days’ Alison Novak brought us the news that the administration had spent a ridiculously low $495 publicizing the opening. It took a largely passive approach, posting the gig on the customary educational job sites and opting not to hire a search firm or do any significant advertising, all of which is highly unusual for a high position.

What’s happened since? Nothing, to judge by media coverage. Actually, there has been movement of a sort, and here I am again doing what I should absolutely not be doing — breaking news.

At its mid-November meeting, the board approved a list of three names and sent them on to the governor. The meeting minutes report that a total of 19 applications had been received, seven candidates interviewed, and the board voted to send the names three finalists to the governor, who would choose the next secretary.

Scott has had those names since November 15. What has he done? Well, I checked with press secretary Jason Maulucci, and here’s what he said:

There have been a couple rounds of interviews so far and the Governor will be conducting final rounds beginning next week. 

Okay, well, at least the ball is moving. But last summer, Scott seemed determined to fill the job ASAP. He sure didn’t want any grass growing under anyone else’s feet.

And it’s February. I can’t see a new hire arriving before the anniversary of French’s departure unless (a) they choose someone who’s currently unemployed and can start immediately or (b) they intend to elevate Bouchey to the post. The latter has been Scott’s standard practice — promoting from within rather than hiring from outside.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. It ensures continuity, which is a precious commodity. But as time passes, you’re fishing from an ever-smaller pool. It’s one of the things that tends to go wrong with governors after a few terms in office: they’re hiring for loyalty not quality, and sooner or later the Peter Principle rears its ugly head.

Also, the Agency of Education hasn’t exactly been a paragon of excellence in recent years. It seems to be a place in need of fresh thoughts and a dynamic approach, not more of the same ol’ same ol’. As state Rep. Erin Brady recently commented to VTDigger, “Our educational system lacks any leadership or vision.”

You can brush that off as a partisan comment from a Democratic lawmaker, but I don’t think you’ll find very many people from any side of the aisle who are satisfied with the agency’s recent work. Do we really want more of the same?

Maybe Phil Scott does. It’s too soon to tell for sure. But if he wants new ideas or energy in our educational system, he’s been in no hurry at all to get on with the job.