After four years, Nick Donohue officially stepped down from his position Thursday as New Hampshire’s Education Commissioner.
Nominating a new person for the state’s top education job will likely be a high priority for Governor John Lynch.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports on what it may mean to fill Donohue's shoes.
Education in New Hampshire has lately been ground zero for some of the state’s most contentious political debates.
Leading that system means becoming embroiled in emotional issues surrounding school spending, dealing with the delicate balance between state and local control, and advocating for tough policy changes.
New Hampshire School Boards Association President Ted Comstock says the Commissioner of Education has an almost impossible job that requires a rare combination of attributes.
I think it requires an individual that has nerves of steel, patience of Job and compassion and passion for students, community members, businesses and the like.
‘I think there’s a need for a person to provide a slightly different role..
Former Education Commissioner Nick Donohue speaking before Governor Lynch’s inauguration.
‘..I think somebody who can really sit down and follow the lead of our governor, understand where he’s going, somebody who can continue to speak and preach a little bit on the value of education and somebody who can practically fill in the blanks in terms of the work that’s on the table ‘
And that table is full. Donohue leaves just as the state is grappling with major reforms in the way schools operate.
The next commissioner will have to implement the new minimum standards, once they’re approved.
Also looming large on the horizon is the state school budget - something
Deputy Commissioner Paul Ezen has been working on with Lynch’s transition team.
Ezen says he’ll now serve as acting education commissioner, but has few reservations about the transition.
"the air of uncertainty is there, what’s going to happen, who’s coming in, what’s it going to be like, I just keep reassuring people that it will be a good transition no matter what."
Ezen has expressed interest in the state’s top education position.
"I’d be interested to see, I really do enjoy my job, my current job, and I love the day to day operations of it, again I’ll just have to wait and see what their looking for and if it’s a good fit.
Complicating the matter this time around, for the first time the governor has the authority to appoint an Education Commissioner, pending executive council approval.
Previously, the choice was up to the state board of education.
State school board members have criticized that change, as did former commissioner Nick Donohue.
I hope in the long run that that position is de-politicized as much as possible and put back in the hands of the state board.
State School Board member John Lyons says he favors a more inclusive process in nominating a commissioner.
I really believe that this is a historic opportunity to create a process that brings in teachers, parents, administrators, the folks on the education committee on the house and senate
No doubt education stakeholders will offer lots of potential candidates, but just how the process is conducted will be up to the new governor.
For NHPR news, I’m Amy Quinton.
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