Lamont jabs at education leaders
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Send to friendBy Robert A. Frahm
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont's plan for aggressive reforms in Connecticut's schools includes a shakeup in education leadership, starting with the State Board of Education and, possibly, the state's top education official.
The plan calls for removing "partisan appointees" on state boards governing education and higher education, replacing them with "people who are really committed to education [and] education reform, people who've been involved in the schools," Lamont said Thursday.
In a campaign stop in Hartford, Lamont outlined a plan called "Better Schools for Better Jobs,"saying he wants strong educational leaders, including a state education commissioner who will work closely with the governor's office to make education a key component in the state's economic plans.
Ned Lamont, Mary Glassman in Hartford. (Robert A. Frahm)
He stopped short, however, of saying whether he would keep Commissioner Mark McQuillan in the job.
"I'm going to take a fresh look at that. Let's see how we do on Race to the Top," he said, referring to the state's recent application in the Obama administration's competition for millions of dollars in federal school reform money.
He said the state got off to a slow start in the Race to the Top competition but that a sweeping reform bill passed by the legislature in the spring improved Connecticut's chances.
Asked about McQuillan, he said, "I'm going to reserve judgment. I'm not going there, but I do think you understand that I want somebody who's going to be a strong, pro-active commissioner."
In front of Hartford's M.D. Fox Elementary School, Lamont and running mate Mary Glassman
