Wentzell stays on as education chief as replacement search begins

HARTFORD — Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell will stay on in the role until a permanent replacement is selected, the state Board of Education decided on Wednesday.

Wentzell’s term officially expires March 1 and the process for her replacement has just begun.

Unlike other commissioners in the state that serve at the pleasure of the governor, the Commissioner of Education post, by state statute, is picked by the state BOE in close consultation with the governor.

Gov. Ned Lamont took office in January.

“I am proud to continue to serve until there is a nice strong handoff,” said Wentzell, who has served in the position since she was appointed by former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in April 2015. “I love the work.”

The state board voted Wednesday to make itself the search committee, along with a representative of the governor’s office. Members whose terms end next month will be replaced by new appointees if they come on the board before the search process concludes.

While there remains uncertainty of the status of outgoing state school board members — the terms of six of 11 voting members expire next month — Wentzell said there always needs to be an education commissioner.

Joseph J. Vrabely Jr., one of the outgoing members, said he is delighted Wentzell is staying on, but said he remains worried.

“To my knowledge, the governor has not moved new appointments to the board,” said Vrabely, who has been through the appointment process three times. He said the process takes months, leading up to an appearance before both chambers of the Legislature.

“I am concerned about not having a quorum for thee or four months,” Vrabely said. “Will the department be brought to its knees?”

Board Chairman Alan Taylor said he has no reason to think the appointments won’t get done.

”I don’t think the department will come to a halt (without a full board),” Taylor said, conceding that some things may get delayed.

Maribel La Luz, a spokeswoman for the governor, said his office has started the replacement process so there should be no concern about the board lacking a quorum.

The governor is also said to have someone in mind for commissioner, although state law requires the process to go through the board.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Commissioner Dianna Wentzell delivers the keynote address at the Commissioner's Annual Back-to-School Meeting with Superintendents at Maloney High School in Meriden on Aug. 15, 2017.