HASTINGS AWAITS CONFIRMATION vs

THERE IS CONTROVERSY OVER REAPPOINTING A SANTA CRUZ MAN TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. REED HASTINGS HELPED FOUND PACIFIC COLLEGIATE SCHOOL IN SANTA CRUZ, AND WILL FACE A CONFIRMATION HEARING IN FRONT OF THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE. IT WAS TO TAKE PLACE WEDNESDAY, BUT WAS POSTPONED FOR A WEEK. THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF 3 DEMOCRATS AND 2 REPUBLICANS. HASTINGS IS KNOWN AS A SCHOOL REFORMER, AND IS NOT PARTICULARLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT HIS CONFIRMATION. ON THE STATE BOARD FOR 5 YEARS, HASTINGS WAS BEHIND THE STATE PROPOSITION REQUIRING IMMIGRANT STUDENTS BE TAUGHT IN ENGLISH. CALIFORNIA VOTERS LATER APPROVED PROP. 227, WHICH OVERTURNED THAT STATE POLICY. HASTINGS IS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF NETFLIX, AND ALSO ADVOCATES MAKING SCHOOL-CONSTRUCTION BONDS EASIER TO PASS. AS A DEMOCRAT HE SAID IT WAS IRONIC THAT HIS OWN PARTY IS BLOCKING HIS CONFIRMATION.