Corbett shakes up Pa. education dept.

Gov. Corbett has made it official: Pennsylvania Education Secretary Ron Tomalis is leaving his post, to be replaced by a suburban Harrisburg school superintendent.

The new twist: Tomalis will be staying on as a "special adviser" to Gov. Corbett on higher education issues.

The Inquirer reported last week that Tomalis was looking for another job and was not intending to stay past summer as Corbett's education czar. A key to Tomalis' decision was growing behind-the-scenes tension between him and some members of the governor's inner circle

In its press release Wednesday formally announcing Tomalis' departure, the administration revealed he will now be responsible for overseeing, implementing and reviewing the recommendations made last year by the Governor's Postsecondary Advisory Commission.

It is not yet known what he will earn. As education secretary, Tomalis makes $149,804.

To replace Tomalis, Corbett is nominating William Harner, who is the superintendent of the Cumberland Valley school district just outside Harrisburg. To read the Inquirer's story in Wednesday's editions on Harner, click here.

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