AUGUSTA – Republican Gov. Paul R. LePage announced on Tuesday that he has appointed Jim Rier as Acting Commissioner for the Department of Education.
“I am pleased to appoint Jim Rier as acting commissioner,” LePage said in a press release. “With Jim’s expertise in fiscal responsibility and his leadership of improved operations, I am confident the department is in very capable hands.”
Rier has worked at DOE for more than a decade. He was the Director of Finance and Operations before becoming Deputy Commissioner in 2011. He will replace his former boss, Stephen Bowen, who resigned in September to take a position with the Council of Chief State School Officers.
“It is an honor to serve the people of Maine and I look forward to working with Governor LePage and the talented team at Maine DOE to continue the transformation of our education system so that it serves all Maine students and prepares them for success after they leave our schools,” said Rier.
According to the press release, LePage will continue vetting candidates for a permanent DOE commissioner and may bring his pick to the Legislature’s education committee as soon as January.
S.E. Robinson
Maine Wire Reporter
serobinson@themainewire.com
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