Senate committee confirms Zoe Saunders as Vermont secretary of education after yearlong review

Montpelier — The Vermont Senate Education Committee voted 5-1 on March 11 to confirm Zoe Saunders as secretary of education following a confirmation hearing that reviewed her first year leading the Agency of Education.

Saunders told the committee she would continue work to improve literacy, strengthen data quality, resolve federal compliance issues and bolster the agency’s capacity to support districts. "I see my confirmation as a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of the Agency of Education over the past year and also to share lessons learned," Saunders said during opening remarks.

The hearing centered on the agency’s response to long‑standing challenges: declining enrollment, rising property tax pressures, uneven academic results and a backlog of administrative tasks. Saunders described a multiphase engagement process she called a "listen and learn tour" that engaged more than 1,000 Vermonters and more than 250 education leaders, and yielded a 120‑page report she said has guided agency priorities.

Saunders highlighted Read Vermont, an agency initiative built on Act 139 intended to improve literacy outcomes, including support for job‑embedded coaching for educators. "Read Vermont aims to ensure every…