Jeff Riley, the state commissioner of elementary and secondary education, announced Thursday he will be stepping down from his position effective March 15, after more than six years in the role.
The commissioner of elementary and secondary education is in charge of the state's K-12 bureaucracy and is selected and evaluated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or BESE.in 2018 during the Charlie Baker administration. He said he plans to recommend that Deputy Commissioner Russell Johnston serve as acting commissioner until the board can find a permanent replacement.
“Commissioner Riley led DESE through a transformative period, overcoming unprecedented challenges and working hard to ensure that every student in Massachusetts receives a high-quality education,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said.