NEW: Caruolo Defends His Record, Views Before Senate Committee

NEW: Caruolo Defends His Record, Views Before Senate Committee

George Caruolo, Governor Lincoln Chafee's nominee for Board of Regents chairman, defended his record and his views on education reform before the Senate Committee on Education today.

Caruolo, an attorney and former majority leader of the Rhode Island House, said he felt honored at being offered an opportunity to pursue the “purest” of public services, but also acknowledged the difficulty the job entailed.

“I have no illusions that this is an extraordinarily demanding and challenging position,” Carulo said.

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During the hearing, Caruolo defended his record and his positions on education reform:

• He dismissed concerns about Race to the Top funds being rescinded, stating “the challenge is not retaining money, but spending it effectively.”

• He also rejected accusations that his lobbying affiliation with Twin Rivers represented a conflict of interest and outgoing Regents Chairman Bob Flanders testified in his defense.

• He reaffirmed his commitment to “taking a deep breath” when it came to school reform, stating that it was more important to get it done right than it was to get it done too hastily.

• He also expressed a desire to eliminate needless spending by consolidating spending.

• He offered a defense of Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, whom he described as “hard charging” but less “dogmatic” than the media made her out to be.

Caruolo emphasized that education was deeply intertwined with many of the other problems facing the state. He said that education reform should be considered one of the most pertinent issues facing the state.