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Governor Rendell's Nominees to State Board of Education Unanimously Confirmed

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell and Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak today lauded the Senate's unanimous confirmation of 12 members to the State Board of Education, which included seven new appointments.

"The State Board of Education has a vital and vibrant role in shaping the commonwealth's vision for public education, and I look forward to working with these board members to continue the progress we have made," the Governor said following the Senate's 49-0 vote on Tuesday.

Newly confirmed members of the board include:

-- Corrinne A. Caldwell, of Newtown Square, Delaware County;

-- Sheila Dow-Ford, ofHarrisburg;

-- Daniel W. Fogarty, of Fleetwood, Berks County;

-- Arnold Hillman, ofHarrisburg;

-- Edward J. Sheehan Jr., of Johnstown, Cambria County;

-- Joseph M. Torsella, of Flourtown, Montgomery County; and

-- A. Lee Williams, of Slippery Rock, Butler County.

Confirmed for reappointment are:

-- Dr. James E. Barker, of McKean, Erie County;

-- Constance H. Davis, of Bellefonte, Centre County;

-- Francine G. McNairy, of Millersville, Lancaster County;

-- Dr. Francis J. Michelini, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County; and

-- Larry A. Wittig, of Andreas, Schuylkill County.

The State Board of Education is the principal administrative regulatory body for elementary/secondary and higher education in Pennsylvania. Its recent duties have included the compilation of a statewide costing-out study requested by the General Assembly to determine the finances necessary to provide all students with a quality education and approval of statewide graduation requirements that will ensure every Pennsylvania high school graduate is proficient in the core subjects of math, science, English and social studies.

Seventeen of the board's 21 voting members are appointed by the Governor, whose nominees are subject to Senate confirmation. Gubernatorial appointees serve six-year, staggered terms.

For more information about the board, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Web site at http://www.pde.state.pa.us.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Gary Miller

717-783-1116

Michael Race (PDE)

717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Tags: ,EDU,POL,PER,STP,PA-Edu-Board-confirm

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