By Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com on August 26, 2013 at 5:58 PM, updated August 26, 2013 at 10:24 PM
William Harner, who was dismissed from his position as Gov. Tom Corbett’s acting education secretary on Monday, expressed disappointment in not being able to serve longer in the role to which he was appointed in June but looks forward to continuing his work as a school district leader in the future.
The following is a statement he issued through his friend, Carlisle attorney John Abom:
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Governor Corbett and the residents of the commonwealth in the capacity as acting secretary of education. During my lifetime of service to my state, community, and my nation, these months have been equally rewarding. I am disappointed that I will be unable to continue to serve in this role as we had a strong team in place to improve education for Pennsylvania students.
“I am very proud of the many accomplishments my team and I made while serving at the Cumberland Valley School District. It remains my understanding and belief that any complaints made during my tenure as superintendent were fully investigated and no matter was ever determined to be of merit or legal consequence. In fact, the Cumberland Valley School Board awarded me the maximum possible bonus available for the 2012-2013 school year as further affirmation of our team’s success and lack of substance of any complaints made during my tenure.
“I have spent the past 15 years transforming schools and school districts, building stronger schools, curricula and students at all levels and from all backgrounds. My quest to accelerate the pace of academic rigor at the Cumberland Valley School District garnered wide support among educators, parents and students. However, detractors to my approach have succeeded in undermining my confirmation with a campaign of distortions. I regret that they have put their interests ahead of their children’s education. I look forward to continuing my work of improving education by returning to a school district in a future leadership role.”
Find the original article, here: Ousted acting Education Secretary William Harner issues statement about his accomplishments and firing Jan Murphy, The Patriot-News, 8/26/13
