Griffo Comments On Selection Of New State Education Commissioner
The State Board of Regents has named MaryEllen Elia as the new New York State Education Commissioner.
Senator Joseph Griffo says while he's pleased to see that the Regents share his sense of urgency to name a new education leader, he's concerned that the selection process appears to have been rushed.
He says the fact that all of the Regents were alerted over the Memorial Day weekend to be in Albany for a special personnel meeting, instead of waiting for a regular session, creates the impression that they are suddenly trying to settle on a new commissioner.
Griffo says he's encouraged by Elia's background in education, including her years as a high school Social Studies teacher in upstate New York, as well as her time as a school superintendent in Florida.
Former Commissioner John King stepped down at the end of last year to join the U.S. Education Department.