EAST LANSING — The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a teacher from Oakland County, in response to the State Board of Education’s selection of Glenn Maleyko as Michigan’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction:

“MEA looks forward to working with Superintendent Maleyko and the State Board of Education to ensure that every Michigan student gets a world-class public education. In Dearborn, Maleyko has a track record of working collaboratively to make decisions that prioritize the needs of students, families and the educators who serve them, and we fully expect that to continue in his new role statewide.

“Michigan’s public schools are faced with significant opportunities and challenges in the years ahead, and the new state superintendent must unite Michigan’s often-divided interests to pursue a shared agenda: higher standards, greater equity and student success. The time is now to be collaborative, bold, and outcomes focused – and we believe Glenn Maleyko can meet what this moment requires.

“MEA also wants to thank the State Board of Education for their diligence in this search process to find the right fit for the job.  And finally, thank you to outgoing Superintendent Michael Rice for his career dedicated to student success.”