March 14, 2005

ROMNEY NAMES NINE-MEMBER EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE BOARD

Governor Mitt Romney today appointed the nine members of the Early Education and Care Board, the panel that will develop policies and regulations to govern the newly created Department of Early Education and Care.

“I am grateful to each of these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to helping my Administration successfully integrate all of our early education services under one roof,” Romney said. “Not only will this new agency ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent more wisely and efficiently, it will also improve the care we provide to our youngest citizens and their families.”

The appointees are:

· Chairman Ronald Preston, Secretary, Executive Office of Health and Human Services

· David Driscoll, Commissioner, Department of Education

· Judith Gill, Chancellor, Board of Higher Education

· Christopher Goode, Senior Director of Corporate Government and Community Affairs and Public Policy, EMC Corporation

· Bernard Russell, teacher, Boston Public Schools

· Mary Torrence, parent

· Linda Mason, Chairman and Founder, Bright Horizons Family Solutions

· Julie Culhane, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Programs, Hampshire Regional School District

· Dr. Elizabeth Childs, Commissioner, Department of Mental Health

The Department of Early Education and Care is the new state agency charged with overseeing all of the Commonwealth’s early education and care services. Among one of the board’s first responsibilities is the selection of a commissioner of the agency, which is expected soon.