State BOE = Firewall?

Good for them:

In the first meeting after Schundler’s ouster, the board would not formally approve Andrew Smarick as deputy commissioner. Smarick, selected by Schundler, is best known as a senior fellow and commentator for two conservative think-tanks in Washington, D.C.

The action came in closed session and no reason was given. But without speaking specifically about Smarick, some board members said they reserved their right to approve people they felt most qualified for the positions selected.

“The board’s role is to promote high quality education, and I think we did what we thought was the right thing for the department,” said Arcelio Aponte, the board’s president.

Smarick is a political hack who has no business running education policy. If the State BOE needs to flex its muscles to put the brakes on Christie's mismanagement, I'm all for it.