Above, Hendricks, second from left, during New Jersey's Race to the Top presentation
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Rochelle Hendricks, second from left, has been named acting Commissioner of Education. This screen grab shows New Jersey's interview during the Race to the Top process.TRENTON — Long-time Department of Education veteran Rochelle Hendricks has been tapped as the department's acting commissioner to replace Bret Schundler, who was fired this morning.
Hendricks, who joined the department under former Gov. Tom Kean in 1987, was most recently the department’s assistant commissioner for the Division of School Effectiveness and Choice.
“I am glad to step into this new role at the department to ensure that Governor Christie’s bold reform agenda moves forward without interruption,” said Hendricks in a prepared statement.
Hendricks was one of the five Department of Education officials who gave a “Race to the Top” presentation in Washington, D.C. that has been at the center of the controversy surrounding Schundler’s firing.
In her previous role, Hendricks oversaw several offices of the department, including functions related to charter schools.
Christie also temporarily appointed Gregg Edwards, the governor’s director of policy, as the education department’s acting chief of staff.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Chris Christie fires N.J. schools chief Bret Schundler
• Background: After decades on the rise, Schundler has a quick fall
• U.S. officials refute Christie on attempt to fix Race to the Top application during presentation
• Bob Braun: If N.J. had stronger Race to the Top application, clerical error wouldn't have mattered
• Full transcript of the governor's remarks
• Gov. Christie blames Washington bureaucracy for state's failed 'Race to the Top' application
• Read text of mistake from the documents
• Gov. Chris Christie's summary of Race to the Top application, submitted June 1
• Gov. Christie says plan Schundler reached with NJEA caved to teachers union
• Bob Braun: Gov. Chris Christie's put-down of Schundler further erodes autonomy of education commissioner
• Gov. Christie says N.J. education chief made mistake with Race to the Top compromise
