SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement on the Senate vote not to confirm Reed Hastings to the State Board of Education:

"I am terribly disappointed in the failure of the Senate Rules Committee today to confirm the appointment of Reed Hastings to the State Board of Education. There are no winners as a result of this vote, and the biggest losers are California 's 6.2 million school children.

"Reed Hastings has been a true public servant. He has given generously of his time, his powerful intellect, and business expertise to serve the interests of California students — not out of any political agenda or desire for celebrity, but out of a genuine concern for education policy that will create better futures for our kids.

"Reed Hastings is an articulate and effective standard-bearer for school accountability, high expectations for all students and closing the achievement gap. He has held firm in the face of resistance to reforms that are in the best interest of California students.

"I commend Governor Schwarzenegger for reappointing Reed Hastings to the board. While I will sorely miss his leadership, guidance and expertise on the board, I sincerely hope that Reed will continue to use his talents to improve the lives of California students."