McWalters

PROVIDENCE — As expected, the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously voted yesterday to extend Education Commissioner Peter McWalters’ contract through June of next year at a packed meeting that included Governor Carcieri.

McWalters, one of the longest serving education chiefs in the country, told the Regents last month he would seek just a six-month extension to his current contract, which was set to expire Dec. 31. The new contract will expire June 30, 2009.

“There was a vote of full confidence in the commissioner and we expressed our appreciation and gratitude for his years of service,” said Regent Chairman Robert G. Flanders Jr., of the discussion that happened behind closed doors. “We let him know we have full confidence in him to lead us in the remaining year of his term.”

Under state law, Carcieri can cast a vote in the hiring, firing or contract extension of the education commissioner. The governor attended the closed-door portion of the meeting, but left just as the board was about to vote in public.

“No, I didn’t officially vote, but it was unanimous,” Carcieri said as he left the meeting, referring all further questions to Flanders.

Several people in the audience spoke in support of McWalters after the vote.

“I want to publicly congratulate the commissioner and thank the board for his contract extension, although it is not for as long a time as I would have liked,” said Marcia Reback, president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. “He’s been able to perform some mini-miracles and he focused the state on an all-kids agenda, not a some-kids agenda.”

Ronald A. Wolk, founding editor of the publication Education Week, called McWalters “the best chief in the country,” and said he was disappointed McWalters would not stay longer. He praised McWalters for his willingness to take risks and be innovative in the face of criticism.

“I wish you luck in finding his replacement,” Wolk said to the regents. “It won’t be easy.”

McWalters, 61, earns about $150,000 a year. He became commissioner in January 1992 and led a series of substantive reforms. They include establishing academic standards for all grade levels, creating tests to assess students with New Hampshire and Vermont — the first such collaboration in the country, launching new performance-based high school graduation requirements, and taking a more active role in intervening in struggling schools and districts.

McWalters said he will continue to focus on these areas in the coming year, as well as revising middle and high school regulations and improving teacher quality.

Supporters praised his vision and consensus-style leadership, while critics questioned why the state continued to lag by national measures, such as the Nation’s Report Card and SATs, despite the reforms.

“I’ve heard some people say he’s been around too long,” said Bob Canavan, a former regent who served from 1991-2000. “And I always tell them, ‘Thank God.’ ”

Flanders announced the appointment of Regents Amy Beretta and Angus Davis to co-chair a search committee for McWalters’ successor.

“They will be working on who should be on the search committee, should we hire a consultant, and what the considerations and time tables should be,” Flanders said. He has also asked McWalters to aid the committee in the search, “so the process is smooth and we identify the best possible candidates and there will truly be a national search,” Flanders said.

jjordan@projo.com