The Notebook

Ed. Sec. Zahorchak heading for Allentown

by Erika Owens on Apr 24 2010 Posted in Latest news

Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak has resigned, effective May 7. Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to name a successor by that date to fill out his term, which ends in January.

On July 1, Zahorchak will take over as superintendent of the Allentown School District.

Zahorchak has served as education secretary since 2005. He also served as deputy secretary for elementary and secondary education and superintendent of the Greater Johnstown School District.

According to the AP, "Zahorchak cited initiatives to expand early childhood education and the development of Pennsylvania's first high-school graduation standards as among his top accomplishments."

Zahorchak leaves as Rendell's second term nears its end. Still in the works this spring and summer: the state is reapplying in round two for Race to the Top Funds and Rendell faces another fight in the state senate over the state budget, which again includes an increase in funding for education.

Comments (3)Print

Comments (3)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/24/2010 - 21:08.

Sounds like he's leaving the ship just before it goes down. Where was he when all the charters were spending our money like it was going out of style? Remember the behind the doors meeting with Rendell, Vallas and Jerry Jordan after Frank Burd was nearly killed. He was there and what changes did he make? I won't miss him. Maybe we can get someone in that really does monitor the districts like they are suppose to do.

Submitted by Erika Owens on Sat, 04/24/2010 - 21:37.

To be fair, Rendell's term is almost over so it makes sense for Zahorchak to be looking at next steps. The AP story has some quotes from him about that. But even in the waning months of the administration, some big items remain on the agenda.