Gov. Tom Corbett says he'll name a central Pennsylvania public school superintendent as his new education secretary, with outgoing Ron Tomalis becoming an adviser on higher education issues.
Corbett said in a statement Wednesday that he'll nominate Cumberland Valley School District Superintendent William Harner as education secretary.
Corbett's statement didn't explain the reason for the change.
The 56-year-old Harner will become acting secretary June 1. Harner is a retired Army officer who also has been a school administrator in Georgia, South Carolina, New Orleans and Philadelphia.
Tomalis' two-year tenure was both busy and rocky, coming at a time when the Corbett administration carried out deep cuts in aid to schools and universities and sought to advance public school alternatives.
Once officially nominated, Harner must be confirmed by the Senate.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
