Mayor-elect Vince Gray has chosen a former senior adviser to Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker to fill the job as D.C.’s deputy mayor for education.
De’Shawn Wright is known for school reform work he did in New Jersey. He has also served as a partner with the Newark Charter School Fund, which was successful in gathering outside money to help fund the city’s charter schools.
Hosanna Mahaley will head the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Mahaley is a former classroom teacher who was Arne Duncan’s chief-of-staff when the now federal education chief was the head of Chicago’s school district.
Gray said in a statement that the education team will work with interim schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. Gray has previously said Henderson will stay on through the remainder of the school year. Henderson replaced Michelle Rhee in September.
Freeman Klopott contributed to this report.
