Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
Gregg Edwards, Christie's policy director, named DOE chief of staff
State Assistant Education Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks late Friday was named acting education commissioner in the aftermath of the firing earlier in the day of Bret Schundler by Gov. Chris Christie.
Hendricks has been heading the department's Division of School Effectiveness and Choice. She will serve as acting commissioner during what will be a national search for a new commissioner.
In a related action, Gregg Edwards, director of policy in Christie's office, was named the department's acting chief of staff.
"I am glad to step into this new role at the department to ensure that Governor Christie's bold reform agenda moves forward without interruption," Hendricks said in a statement released by the governor's office. "The governor has made educational excellence and high student achievement a top priority, and that commitment will continue to be the driving force in the activities of the Department of Education. I am proud to share in the governor's vision and look forward to continue working diligently on behalf of children and parents to ensure that the opportunity, hope and empowerment that comes with parental choice is available to every family."
Hendricks has more than 20 years of experience working on education issues in New Jersey. She joined Gov. Thomas Kean's Department of Education in 1987 and has previously served in various capacities within the department, including work as the director of the Office of Vocational-Technical, Career and Innovative Programs, director of the Office of Innovative Programs and Schools, and managing the Charter School Unit within the Office of Innovative Programs and Schools.Prior to joining the department, she worked for over 15 years at Princeton University in numerous capacities including, assistant dean of Students and director of Educational Opportunities Program and interim director of the Women's Program. Hendricks began her career as a teacher at the Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School District, where she taught for three years.
As assistant commissioner for School Effectiveness and Choice, Hendricks oversees reform initiatives and areas, including the Offices of Board Development, Small Learning Communities and School Culture, District Schools, Turnaround Partnerships, Inter-District Choice and Opportunity Scholarships, Charter Schools, Career and Technical Education, and Online Education. She has also served previously in the department as a director of the Professional Development Office, manager of the Office of Policy and Planning in the Administration Division, and assistant to the Deputy Education Commissioner.
While serving as acting chief of staff in the Department of Education, Edwards will temporarily relinquish his current position as policy director for Christie, where he develops and implements policy initiatives for the administration.
Prior to joining the governor's staff, Edwards was the founding president of the Center for Policy Research of New Jersey. Edwards is also a former member of the Hamilton (Mercer) Board of Education where he served two-terms as president. He was also director of the state Senate and chief of staff to the late Rep. Bob Franks (R-N.J.).
Hendricks and Edwards will assume their respective duties effective immediately.
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
I called Hillside School Board and I was told that my child have to go to the school district in which she live.
I would like more information on what districts is approved that will allow a child to be transfer to another school district of their choice with available space.