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State’s K-12 Education Commissioner stepping down next month

“After six years of service, I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to pass the baton.”

February 16, 2024

2 minutes to read

Citing personal reasons and a belief that it’s time to “pass the baton,” Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley announced he will resign next month.

In a letter to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Riley said he would step down on March 15 after six years of heading up the state’s K-12 school system. Riley recommended Deputy Commissioner Russell Johnston, who served as the West Springfield school superintendent from 2010 to 2014, as acting commissioner. To help with the transition, Riley will act as an advisor through the end of this school year.

“After six years of service, I have come to the conclusion that now is the right time for me to pass the baton,” Riley said in his resignation letter. “On a personal level, my role as a son to aging parents requires more of my time, and my commitment to provide that support is not compatible with the demands of the commissioner’s job. More broadly, as I reflected on major new initiatives such as the Literacy Launch, I realized the commonwealth needs and deserves a commissioner who can commit on an all-in basis for at least another five years, and I simply cannot do that.”

In 2022, Riley ramped up oversight of Boston Public Schools—and nearly had the state take over the system—for what the Education Department described as “serious challenges and deficiencies,” like student segregation, aging facilities, and late buses.

Riley cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the most challenging period of his time as commissioner. However, he also pointed to multiple highlights, including a new health and physical education curriculum, better IEP procedures, the expansion of an early college program, advocacy for universal school meals, and strides in the state’s early literacy education.

“We’re grateful for Commissioner Riley’s leadership to make sure Massachusetts continues to have the greatest schools in the country and to support our incredible students and educators every step of the way, particularly through the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a press release. “We thank him for his years of service for the people of Massachusetts and wish him the very best in this new chapter.”