Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley announced he will resign next month, citing personal reasons and a belief that it is time to “pass the baton.”
Riley said in a letter to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that he will step down on March 15 after six years leading the state's K-12 school system. Riley recommended Deputy Superintendent Russell Johnston, who served as West Springfield Superintendent from 2010 to 2014, to serve as acting superintendent. To assist with the transition, Riley will serve as an advisor through the end of this year.
“After six years of service, I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time to pass the baton,” Riley said in his resignation letter. “On a personal level, my role as a son to my aging parents requires a lot of my time, and my commitment to providing that support is not compatible with the demands of the Secretary's job.More broadly, I am committed to promoting literacy. As I reflected on major new initiatives such as this, I realized that the Commonwealth needs and deserves a Commissioner who can commit on an all-in basis for at least another five years, and I am unable to do so.”
In 2022, Riley will increase oversight of Boston's public schools and force the state to address what the Department of Education described as “serious challenges and deficiencies” in its system, including student segregation, aging facilities and bus delays. I was about to have him take over.
Riley cited the coronavirus pandemic as the most difficult time of his time as commissioner. But he also pointed to multiple highlights, including a new health and physical education curriculum, improved IEP procedures, expanded early college programs, support for universal school lunches and advances in the state's early literacy education.
“We thank you for supporting our amazing students and educators every step of the way, ensuring Massachusetts continues to have the best schools in the country and especially through the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful for Secretary Riley’s leadership,” the governor said. Maura Healey said in a press release. “We thank him for his many years of service to the people of Massachusetts and wish him every success in this new chapter.”
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