RICHMOND, VA – Youngkin continued his assault on Virginia’s public school system today with the appointment of Lisa Coons, the former Tennessee Chief Academic Officer. U.S. News and World Report ranks Virginia #10 in K-12 education. Tennessee ranks #31.

“Youngkin has appointed a new commander to the frontlines in his war against public education,” said Liam Watson, Press Secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia. “Youngkin has shown an admiration for the damage done to K-12 education by Republicans in conservative-leaning states, and his selection of Coons as the next superintendent will undoubtedly continue the legacy of failed policies that Balow leaves behind.”

Youngkin tapped Coons to replace Jillian Balow, who left after a Youngkin administration error that has caused an as-of-yet uncorrected $201 million budgetary shortfall for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. Youngkin has repeatedly refused to say whether or not he asked for Balow’s resignation.

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