Governor Names Kevin Dehmer Interim Commissioner of Education

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced that, effective close of business today, Dr. Lamont O. Repollet will step down as Commissioner of Education and begin the transition from the Department of Education to his new position as President of Kean University. 

The Governor has selected Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Finance Kevin Dehmer to assume the role of Interim Commissioner of Education while a search is conducted for a permanent successor. Dehmer will immediately assume his role as Interim Commissioner. Dr. Repollet will take on a two-week advisory role at DOE, ending on July 15, 2020.

“I thank Lamont for the leadership he brought to  the New Jersey Department of Education over the past two and a half years,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “During his tenure as Commissioner of Education, Lamont oversaw the expansion of pre-K and facilitated changes to our statewide testing regime while working diligently to pursue equity for our students. He also has helped districts navigate the unique challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as transitioning to remote learning and preparing for the school year ahead. I know the Department will continue to build on this record of success and I wish Lamont nothing but the best in his new role as President of Kean University.”

On May 11, 2020, Dr. Repollet was officially announced as the 18th President of Kean University.

“I’m grateful to Governor Murphy for providing me with the opportunity to serve as Commissioner,” said Dr. Repollet, who served as teacher, principal, and superintendent before being named Commissioner in January 2018. “I feel that we have accomplished what we set out to do: We expanded high-quality preschool into dozens of communities, created STEM opportunities for thousands of students, brought about changes to statewide assessments and, most importantly, we advanced the dialogue on equity in education. Knowing that we helped schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few months and provided them with guidance for reopening in the fall, I feel this is an opportune time to make the transition to the new position.”
 
“It has been an honor to serve with Commissioner Repollet as part of a team that has worked with schools to make significant strides in academics and navigate some extraordinary challenges,” said Kevin Dehmer, who takes the helm as Interim Commissioner. “I look forward to guiding the Department as it transitions to its next chapter of leadership.”