AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. Paul LePage has elevated the deputy of the Department of Education to acting commissioner.
Jim Rier of Topsham has worked in the education department for a decade, starting as director of finance and operations. He’s served as deputy commissioner since 2011 under Stephen Bowen, who resigned last month to work at a national nonprofit organization.
Rier is responsible for implementation and management of the Essential Programs and Services Funding Model and the 2005 School Funding Law, along with school audits, school facilities, transportation and nutrition programs, teacher certification, data management, and state and federal reporting.
He was on the Maine Board of Education for two terms and led the overhaul of the State’s school construction process. He served as chairman from 1997 to 2000.
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