Meeting of the Board of Regents | October 2008

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision

Will the Board of Regents approve the appointment of Alan Ray as Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Strategic Planning, P-16?

Reason(s) for Consideration

Required by §3.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents. 

             

Proposed Handling

The Board of Regents will discuss this appointment in Executive Session on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 and will take action on it at Full Board on the same day.

Procedural History

This is a new position in the State Education Department.

Background Information

Both P-16 Education: A Plan for Action, adopted by the Regents, and Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007 give increased responsibilities to the Office of P-16. Fulfilling these responsibilities requires additional leadership and changes in assignment. This appointment is one such change.  If the Regents approve, under the direct leadership of the Senior Deputy, Alan Ray will assume policy and leadership responsibilities in several key areas, including:

• P-16 Data – Alan will assume overall supervision of the current Office of Information and Reporting Services (IRS) and will work with David Walsh, Chief Information Officer, to help integrate the Department’s ITS resources with EMSC program resources and improve data collection and reporting.

• Coordination of Data and Testing – Because data and testing are so intertwined, Alan will also work closely with David Abrams to coordinate the activities of the two units. This will help ensure a unified approach to two of the most critical areas of the Department.

• Policy, Strategy and Communications – The Department has committed to a stronger customer service approach to our regulatory and service operations throughout P-16, with special emphasis on school districts. Alan will provide help to streamline key functions with districts and modify delivery approaches as appropriate.

Alan Ray has provided exceptional leadership within SED in a number of capacities. He served for five years as the Director of Communications and Policy Development and before that for eight years as Director of Communications. In those positions, he advised the Commissioner and senior SED leadership and helped create and implement policy and strategy in many key areas, especially communications. Prior to serving as Director of Communications, Alan also worked in the Office of Cultural Education as Director of Museum Operations. During the past eight months, Alan coordinated the work of the three consultant groups on behalf of the Regents and the Commissioner. His appointment as Assistant Commissioner under Civil Service dates from September 27, 2007.

Recommendation

I recommend the following action:

VOTED, that the Board of Regents approve the appointment of Alan Ray to the position of Associate Commissioner for Policy, P-16 retroactive to September 27, 2007.