PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Veteran politician and lobbyist George D. Caruolo, who was tapped by Governor Chafee to run a merged board of education in 2013, has withdrawn his name from consideration, the governor's office announced Friday.
GEORGE CARUOLO
In a statement released by Chafee, Caruolo said his law practice was consuming most of his time and as two of his four children are still in college, he wanted to focus on supporting his family.
"I felt that to do this job correctly would require virtually a full time effort," Caruolo said. "That is particularly true during the period when a new structure is designed and implemented.
"I explained that if I could not dedicate enough time then it was unfair to everyone to have me fill that job."
Chafee said he "reluctantly agreed" to his request. "I was looking forward to working with him in his new position," Chafee said. "He is a valued advisor and remains so."
The General Assembly voted to abolish the current Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, chaired by Caruolo, and the Board of Governors for Higher Education, effective Dec. 31 and replace them with a new 11-member Board of Education, overseeing both K-12 and the state's three public colleges.