TRENTON, Jan. 29, 2024 –The New Jersey School Boards Association today welcomed Gov. Phil Murphy’s nomination of Kevin Dehmer as the state’s next commissioner of education.
“Kevin Dehmer has extensive experience in leadership roles at the New Jersey Department of Education,” said Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, NJSBA executive director/CEO. “When I served as interim executive county superintendent in Morris County, I knew and respected Kevin’s work, and I know that he will be an asset at the New Jersey Department of Education and an effective advocate for New Jersey’s public education system.
“We offer our sincere congratulations to Kevin and look forward to working with him in his new role as the state’s chief education officer.”
Dehmer is currently executive director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. Prior to this, he served in several positions at the New Jersey Department of Education, including as assistant commissioner and chief financial officer. Over more than 15 years at the department, he directed numerous offices and served on several state councils, advisory groups, and commissions. Dehmer also briefly served as interim commissioner of education in 2018 and 2020.
Purnell also had words of appreciation for the outgoing acting commissioner of education. “I also want to congratulate Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan on her retirement, thank her for her service to New Jersey’s 1.4 million public school students and wish her all the best in the years to come,” Purnell said.