Mitchell Chester, Massachusetts’ Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education has died. The Boston Globe reports Chester, who had been battling cancer, died Monday night.
Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement Tuesday morning.
“On behalf of the entire administration, Lt. Governor Polito and I extend our deepest condolences to Commissioner Chester’s family, friends and colleagues at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education during this difficult time,” Baker said in the statement. “Commissioner Chester was a dedicated educator and accomplished public servant. His leadership improved the lives of thousands of the Commonwealth’s students and helped make our public school system a national leader. He will be terribly missed by all.”
Massachusetts' Education Commissioner James Peyser released this statement Tuesday morning.
"We've been blessed in Massachusetts having two long-serving commissioners, who have seen us through from the beginning of education reform to this day," Peyser said in the statement. "In some ways, a lot of attention gets paid to the leadership when change is beginning to happen, but when all is said and done it's the leaders who take us through, over time, to sustain the changes and to bring them to the next level that make those changes permanent and that deliver the kind of impact on children, families and people's lives that have lasting and deeper effects. I think Mitchell was that leader for us, and we were very lucky and blessed to have him with us."
Chester became commissioner in 2008.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth of Massachusetts also released a statement.
"Mitchell spent his life and his career fighting for students," Warren said in the statement. "He was deeply committed to making Massachusetts' public schools the best in the country?, and whenever we worked together I appreciated his leadership and his dedication. I'm saddened by this loss, and my thoughts are with Mitchell's colleagues at the Massachusetts Education Department and with his family."
