Updated: Skandera questioned by Senate committee, but no confirmation vote taken

New Mexico Public Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera spent three hours answering questions from a Senate committee this morning, but the third day of confirmation hearings on Skandera’s nomination ended like the previous two had — with no committee vote.

Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Linda Lopez, an Albuquerque Democrat, requested Skandera provide the panel with requested information and said she intends to resume the hearing before the Legislature adjourns next Saturday.

However, she would not commit to a date for a full committee vote.

“I believe we still have a lot to digest,” Lopez told reporters.

During today’s back-and-forth, Skandera defended her office’s handling of applications for new charter schools and touted improved graduation rates for Hispanic and Native American students.

“We are closing the achievement gap,” Skandera told committee members.

However, Democratic senators repeatedly questioned Skandera over her handling of a request for teacher contact information from Gov. Susana Martinez’s political consultant and her approval of a new charter school that had been rejected by the state’s Public Education Commission.

Meanwhile, Republican senators expressed frustration that the Senate Rules Committee once again did not vote on Skandera’s nomination to head up the state’s public school system.

“We’ve been here three days,” said Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque. “She deserves a vote.”

Click here for background on the Skandera confirmation hearings.

And check tomorrow’s Journal for more information.