[T]he state appears to be on its way to filling the vacancy left by the abrupt resignation of Rebecca Holcombe as the state’s Secretary of Education.
The State Board of Education at its regular May meeting approved three candidates for the post, and voted to authorize board chair Krista Huling to forward the recommendations to Gov. Phil Scott for his consideration.
It has been the board’s job to solicit resumes, vet candidates, interview finalists and submit names to the governor. Scott will interview the candidates, whose names have not been released. If he fails to find a candidate to his liking, the board will renew its search and submit more names.
In a letter sent to Scott, Huling said all three candidates were highly qualified with “expertise in education management and policy and demonstrated leadership and management abilities.”
Shortly after Holcombe’s departure, Scott presented board members with a letter explaining what he wanted in a candidate, raising eyebrows with his suggestion that he would prefer managerial experience over a background in education policy.
The board objected, citing state statutes requiring the secretary have experience in both. Act 98, the legislation that elevated the head of the Agency of Education to a cabinet level position, clearly states the education secretary must have expertise in education management and policy, and demonstrated leadership and management abilities, Huling has said.
Scott also said he would favor someone who shared his views on “right sizing” the school system.
Rebecca Holcombe’s resignation took effect Apr. 1.
Huling moved quickly to jump-start the process of filling the vacancy. The Scott administration had estimated the search would take at least three months, but Huling has said she is committed to finding someone sooner.
Board Vice Chair Bill Mathis said the fast pace was possible because the board had been presented with great candidates. “We are pleased with the quality of the candidate pool,” he said, adding that some urgency had been injected into the process because Act 46, the school district consolidation law, was at an endgame point.
“The new secretary will have to hit the ground running,” Mathis said.
Deputy Education Secretary Heather Bouchey has been running the agency on interim basis.
