Gov. Christie invites former Washington D.C. schools chief to consider N.J. education commissioner job
Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 1:57 PM Updated: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 2:33 PM
District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee speaks during a news conference October 13, 2010 at Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has courted Michelle Rhee to become the state’s next education commissioner, but the job’s distance from her family may prove an insurmountable stumbling block, two officials familiar with the negotiations said.
When state officials initially approached Rhee, the former chancellor of the Washington, D.C., public schools, she quickly turned back the overture, thinking the governor wanted her to make a lateral move and run the Newark Public Schools. Even Oprah Winfrey endorsed the possibility of Rhee becoming Newark’s next superintendent.
In fact, the Christie administration wanted Rhee to consider the vacant state education commissioner’s post, a more attractive offer to her because it signified a step up on the ladder of national education reform influence, according to sources who sought anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss confidential matters. But the state could not get Rhee “past the gate” because of frustration that a move to New Jersey would take her away from her family.
Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for the governor, would not comment on the state's search for a new education commissioner.
Speaking on CNN earlier today, Rhee would not confirm