TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on May 1, 2023

Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn, who led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw an overhaul of the state’s K-12 funding structure, will leave the position on June 1. Gov. Bill Lee announced that he will appoint Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds to the post. Reynolds currently serves as vice president of policy at Florida-based ExcelinEd, which advocates for a wide range of student-centered policies, including school choice. In a release announcing the move, Lee said that Reynolds' career "reflects a deep commitment to school choice, assessment and accountability." She will take office on July 1. Deputy Commissioner of Operations Sam Pearcy will serve as interim commissioner in June. The Tennessean has more.