Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley will step down next month, DESE announced — a move that follows six years of working through the “transformational period” of the pandemic and recovery with contrasting reviews from public officials, teachers unions, and local districts.
“After six years of service, I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to pass the baton,” Riley wrote in a resignation letter. “More broadly, as I reflected on major new initiatives such as the Literacy Launch, I realized the Commonwealth needs and deserves a Commissioner who can commit on an all-in basis for at least another five years, and I simply cannot do that.”
In 2018, Riley was appointed to serve by the state education Board and Secretary of Education under the Baker administration after 24 years working in Massachusetts schools.
In his resignation letter, Riley said his role as a son to aging parents will not allow him enough time to commit to the job, but he intend to continue to be the “biggest advocate on behalf of our students.”
The outgoing commissioner cited gratitude for several accomplishments, including new comprehensive health and physical education curriculum framework, educator diversification and the updated procedures for special education plans.
Riley announced he will step down from the role on March 15, but remain as an advisor through the end of the school year. He will recommend Deputy Commissioner Russell Johnston to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to serve as the Acting Commissioner.
In a release, state officials including Gov. Maura Healey and the Secretary of Education praised Riley’s success and work through the “unprecedented challenges” of and recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, advocacy for universal school meals, expansion of the Early College program, advancement of Deeper Learning curriculum and more.
“During an historic time of pandemic, societal and educational disruption, Commissioner Riley led the Commonwealth’s schools by prioritizing the urgent need to return children to in-school learning,” said BESE Chair Katherine Craven, listing accomplishments. … “Massachusetts students will enjoy the benefits of his work for years to come.”
Massachusetts and Boston teachers unions were often critical of Riley and the department through the commissioner’s tenure, issuing several blasts during the pandemic including an early statewide vote of no confidence and pushback on a threat to freeze federal BPS funding.
“Commissioner Riley, one of our longest-tenured State Education Chiefs, has cemented that reputation with his work on Deeper Learning and an innovative science assessment,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, calling the state a leader in education. “I consider him a great colleague and thank him for his service to public education.”