Mayor-elect Vincent Gray has named five persons to positions in education and other areas of the new administration that takes over Jan. 2.
During a Dec. 22 press conference, Gray announced his choices for two education posts—Hosanna Mahaley, as state superintendent of education, and De’Shawn Wright as deputy mayor for education.
Mahaley has worked for both the Chicago and Atlanta public schools systems and Wright is a senior adviser to Newark Mayor Corey Booker.
While Kaya Henderson serves as interim schools chancellor, Gray said he would refrain from naming a permanent replacement for the controversial Michelle Rhee – who vacated the post in October – until a search has been conducted as required by the school reform law, the same mandate which in 2007 provided mayor Adrian Fenty control of the beleaguered school system .
Gray also has named Rochelle Webb as the director of the Department of Employment Services and announced that Clarence Brown will continue as head of the Office on Aging.
In addition, Gustavo Velasquez will continue his role as head of the Office of Human Rights.
