Susan Fagan

Gregoire proposes new schools office

OLYMPIA – All of Washington’s education systems and programs, from preschool through graduate degrees at universities, should be working together and overseen by a single office, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Wednesday. Gregoire proposed creating the cabinet position of secretary of education – appointed by the governor and approved by the Legislature – and placing responsibility for the many “silos” of education at all age levels into that office. That would include the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, a constitutionally mandated official, elected by voters every four years.