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April 10, 2008

Update: Education Chief McWalters to leave next year

PROVIDENCE -- Longtime state Education Commissioner Peter McWalters will step down from his position next year, after the state board that oversees public education decided to extend his contract by just six months, instead of giving him a customary three-year agreement.

Today, Robert G. Flanders Jr., chairman of the state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, announced the regents had agreed to extend McWalters’ contract, which runs out Dec. 31, through June 2009.

In its yearly review of McWalters' performance, the Board of Regents "reached consensus" on the renewal in a March closed session, according to a news release. McWalters, "however, let it be known to the board at that time that he was not seeking a two-year extension of his current contract, which lasts through the end of this year," the release states.

At the board's request, McWalters agreed to stay on as commissioner through June 2009.

The state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education will formally vote April 23 to extend McWalters's contract through June 2009.

“I am pleased that Commissioner McWalters has agreed to stay on as Commissioner through June of 2009 so as to address the critical issues we are facing in Rhode Island,” Flanders said in the statement. “Since I joined the Board last year, I have worked closely with Commissioner McWalters on several critical topics of school reform. It is vital that we focus on this critical agenda over the course of the next year.”

Governor Carcieri said in the statement that McWalters "has been a key ally and advocate as we work to improve public education in Rhode Island."

Carcieri added: “In this first year of our new state Diploma System and the first year of new high-school tests and science assessments, we need continued strong leadership. Commissioner McWalters will ensure that efforts will continue on behalf of all schoolchildren.”

-- Journal staff writer Jennifer D. Jordan and projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

McWalters agreed to stay on as commissioner through June 2009 to follow through on these things:

* Carrying out the new Regents’ Diploma System emphasizing proficiency-based graduation requirements.

* Improving school districts that have missed yearly targets, particularly Central Falls and Providence.

* Coming up with new teacher evaluation methods "for ensuring teacher quality."

* Revising the State Basic Education Program, regulations that set the academic and support services that districts must offer in all schools.

“I am honored to serve as Commissioner of Education in Rhode Island, and I thank the Regents for their endorsement of my commitment to public education and my ongoing work in Rhode Island,” McWalters stated. “I plan to work with the Governor and the Board over the next year to follow through on the many Regents’ initiatives currently under way and to ensure that we manage a smooth transition to new leadership.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 3:30 PM | Permalink

Comments

Good news ! His liberal, change for change sake methods have all failed. i emailed him numerous times with questions , suggestions over the years and NOT ONCE did he have the professionalism to respond ---NOT ONCE. Bye bye ..............

RED | April 10, 2008 7:41 PM link

If McWalters worked in the private sector, his contract would have been terminated years ago due to his shoddy performance and lackluster results. Only in state government do we tolerate poor to mediocre performance, and then celebrate it if it's scandal-free, as if that were the ultimate achievement.

When will we demand more of those whose very hefty salaries are paid from our taxes?

JRinRI | April 11, 2008 3:55 AM link

Yea, NOW will the staffing done by Dr McWalters be looked into and some other terminations be done. McWalters is not the only one who has pushed for needless changes, there have been some instances of approvals thrugh his office for funding items that should not have been funded. Dr. Halley in North Kingstown managed to "misappropriated" over a quarter of a million dollars, all of which had been approved by RIDE. How much other Lobster, steak and booze has been authorized by McWalters and his staff and in what cities? Sure hope they don't hire his replacement from the current RIDE employees.

J | April 11, 2008 8:35 AM link

April 10, 2008

Update: Education Chief McWalters to leave next year

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