Cate Resigns; Talbott Appointed Interim Commissioner

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On May 16th, Richard Cate announced that he would be resigning as Vermont’s Commissioner of Education. Ten days later, the State Board of Education appointed William Talbott, formerly the Department of Education’s Chief Financial Officer, as interim Commissioner.

Cate resigned to accept the position of interim Vice President of Finance and Operations at the University of Vermont. In a letter regarding his resignation, Cate cited the opportunity at UVM as well as recent legislative debate about the structure and appointment of his post as his reasons for leaving. He served as Commissioner for 4 ½ years, and during his tenure, he proposed a governance restructuring and consolidation plan that was ultimately tabled by the State Board and legislature. More recently, Cate was leading the Department and State Board’s Transformation of Education initiative.

Talbott has served in the Department for 10 years as CFO and Deputy Commissioner. Previously he has served as a state representative, and also has worked as an educator, and as president of the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges. Talbott, who will fill the roles of Commissioner and CFO, described his situation as "very demanding" but that he was excited for the opportunity. He has committed to continuing the transformation initiative that has been the State Board’s focus for the last eight months.

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