Local education officials aren’t ready to grade the new education secretary just yet.

"I'm always one to wait and see how people do," Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane said of Betsy DeVos, who was confirmed Tuesday. "I hate to prejudge ahead of time."

The confirmation came after a historic 50-50 split vote that required Vice President Mike Pence to serve as the tie breaker. Two Republicans voted against the confirmation.

"Even some Republicans have doubts that she's the best choice for the job," Keane said. "It certainly sends the message that not everybody has the same feelings about her."

Coeur d'Alene School District Superintendent Matt Handelman said he didn't have a lot to say; he just hopes DeVos does good things for education in the country.

"I'm open-minded," he said. "I'm interested to see what direction she takes."

The confirmation of DeVos, a billionaire GOP donor, triggered a strong response from the Idaho Education Association.

“The bottom line is that Idaho’s students, parents, teachers and communities deserve an education secretary who is both qualified and supportive of public schools. Betsy DeVos is neither, which is why her confirmation today is wrong on so many levels," IEA President Penni Cyr said in a statement Tuesday. "As evidenced by the massive outcry in opposition to her nomination, Idahoans and Americans have legitimate reasons to be concerned about her intentions and efficacy in the position."

Cyr went on to say DeVos has "zero experience with public education" and has worked to "sabotage public schools at every turn."

"Her unfamiliarity with even the basics of education was evident in her Senate hearing and could have disastrous consequences as she takes on the important responsibilities of education secretary," Cyr stated. "DeVos has a long track record of questionable ethics and conflicts of interest, including substantial contributions to many of the senators who confirmed her and ties to companies with a financial interest in privatizing public schools."

Tom Hearn, Region 1 chair of the Idaho School Board Association, said the ISBA voted Friday to send a letter to Idaho senators opposing DeVos because of her limited public school experience.

"We were concerned about her lack of support of public education," Hearn said. "It's somewhat unprecedented to have someone appointed without a background in education, but oh well, it is what it is."

Hearn said the ISBA is worried about funds being diverted from public to private schools and taking away from an already underfunded public school system. DeVos' support of vouchers to use public money to pay private tuition doesn't sit well with the ISBA.

"We don't have a problem with students going to private schools ... One of my grandsons goes to Holy Family Catholic School," Hearn said. "But I don't believe public money should support these schools. Over 90 percent of the children in Idaho go to public schools, and ISBA and I are not in favor of a change in the Idaho Constitution that would allow this diversion of public money and would hurt our public schools."

Hearn said moving forward, the hopes are DeVos does show strong support for public education.

"Sometimes people change their attitudes when they get into office," he said. "We will make the best of the situation."