Governor Dannel Malloy is praising Connecticut's education commissioner for doing "great work," rejecting suggestions he asked Stefan Pryor to announce plans to seek another job.Malloy, who is running for re-election, said Thursday the average tenure for a non-elected superintendent or education commissioner is less than two-and-a-half years. Pryor has served nearly three years.
Pryor announced Monday he would not seek a second term, should Malloy win re-election. Pryor has been a source of controversy as he oversaw the rollout of Malloy's education reforms. The commissioner spoke at an annual education meeting Tuesday.
“If we keep working together with determinations the whispers will crescendo into roars of progress,” Pryor said as he closed his address to school leaders.
Malloy and Pryor appeared in New Britain to announce nearly $133 million in funding for struggling school districts.
Pryor called his relationship with Malloy "superb" and the timing was right to explore new career opportunities.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.