The search process for a new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education in Massachusetts is underway. Bookmark this one-click stop for updates, opportunities to participate and public events.
The formal public search process for a new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education is run by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. If past practice is any indication, we could see final interviews and job offer by April or May. Interim Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Dr. Russell Johnston has been at the helm since the March 2024 resignation of Jeff Riley. No word yet on if Dr. Johnston will be seeking out the permanent appointment. We do know the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is committing to a full public search and interview process.
Here is how you can get involved.
Job Description and Application
The full job description for the role of Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education is now available online here and for download here.
Not sure this is the right opportunity for you right now? You can nominate an individual for the role here www.imsearch.com/open-searches/massachusetts-dese/commissioner.
Finalists and Public Interviews
Finalists and a schedule for public interviews are not yet available. If you would like to revisit the process from 2017-18, take a look at our updates from the last formal search process here.
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meetings
In addition to public search events, many of the updates will happed at BESE meetings in the coming months. BESE agendas and related documents will be available online here. If you can’t make the trip to Everett, you can watch the live stream on Vimeo at home and on your own time. Save the dates for upcoming BESE meetings and opportunities to provide public comment directly to BESE.
- Monday, September 23, 2024, Special Meeting
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Regular Meeting
- Monday, October 28, 2024, Special Meeting
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Regular Meeting
- Monday, November 18, 2024, Special Meeting
- Monday, December 16, 2024, Special Meeting
- Tuesday, December 17, 2024, Regular Meeting
- Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Regular Meeting
Search Committee & Contracted Search Firm
As of early November, the Department has retained a contractor to manage the national search process and established a preliminary screening committee.
The voting members of the preliminary screening committee to date include BESE Chair Katherine Craven, Member Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, BESE Member Dr. Ericka Fisher and BESE Member Dr. Martin West and the list of non-voting members includes Ross Wilson, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Robert V. Antonucci, Bob Bardwell, Erik Berg, Noah Berger, Adam Chapdelaine, JD Chesloff, Chris Gabrieli,,Edward M. Lambert, Jr., Kathy Lopes, Barbara A. Malkas, Kevin McCaskill, Holly McClanan, Devin Morris, Tim Nicolette, Leader Alice H. Peisch, Keri Rodrigues, Kevin Sullivan, Tanisha M. Sullivan, Jessica Tang, Mary Tamer, De’Shawn C. Washington and Pratt N. Wiley.
A public bid for a search firm was put out in July, five search firms responded and the contract was awarded to Isaacson, Miller .
ARCHIVED Activities
Development of the Job Description – Survey and Public Feedback Sessions
Public surveys are open now and available in multiple languages. .
Take a look at the English language Community Survey here.
Three public feedback sessions will also be held in November. Two sessions will be in person and one will be held online.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 9 | 9:00AM – 11:00AM | Worcester State University Sullivan Academic Center (Eager Auditorium) |
| Tuesday, November 12 | 3:30PM – 5:00PM | Bunker Hill Community College (Room C-202) |
| Thursday, November 14 | 7:00PM – 9:00PM | Online – Register Here |
Note: Each session will include American Sign Language (ASL)/and or CART services and language interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.
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