Lincoln superintendent named DOE deputy commissioner

MALDEN — Former Lincoln Superintendent of Schools Mark K. McQuillan has been named the state's new deputy commissioner of education, Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll announced Thursday. As deputy commissioner, McQuillan will serve as second-in-command at the Department of Education, a role Commissioner Driscoll held from 1993 until he was appointed interim commissioner in 1998. He will be responsible for managing the department's day-to-day operations, supervising senior staff, and overseeing the development and management of the department's annual $4 billion budget. "I am pleased to bring someone with Mark's experience, background and proven commitment and dedication to education onto our team," said Commissioner Driscoll. "He comes with the perspective of both an educator and an administrator, and will play a critical role in our efforts to lead the state's schools to a heightened level of comprehensive reform, now and well into the future." Since 1994 McQuillan has served as superintendent of the Lincoln public schools. During that period he reorganized the central office, designed and implemented a 5-year curriculum cycle for the district and successfully bid and negotiated contracts with the Department of Defense of educational services for children living on Hanscom Air Force Base. "Mark McQuillan was hired to bring stability to a district that had endured too many years of volatility and uncertain leadership," said former Lincoln School Committee member Stephen Johnson. "He is a good man and has been a fine leader. While I am happy for the Department of Education, I am going to miss the steady hand and guidance he brought to our district." From 1991-1994, McQuillan spent 3 1/2 years as superintendent of the Andover public schools, where he helped push through a $40 million school expansion and renovation program for two elementary schools and Andover High School, and worked with the town manager to implement a Total Quality Management system for the town and school departments. Before that, from 1986 to 1991 he served as assistant superintendent of schools in Beverly, where he oversaw curriculum and instruction for students in grades K-12, supervised the work of principals and curriculum directors, and served as the district's personnel director. Earlier in his career McQuillan worked as a writing specialist for the Newton public schools, an English coordinator for the Plymouth-Carver Regional school district and an English teacher at the F.A. Day Junior High School in Newton. "Mark comes in with a solid background and the deep seated respect of superintendents around the state." said Christopher Martes, head of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. "Something I've always said is that if you're going to improve the public schools, you need to know them. I have no doubt that Mark is someone who knows and understands the complexities of our public schools." McQuillan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and his graduate degrees from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Born in Hawaii, he lives in Lincoln. His daughter, Elizabeth, is studying mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. McQuillan said he is eager to start in his new position, and begin the task of taking Education Reform to the next level. "The foundation has been put into place, but it is now time to bring all of the pieces together for students and districts throughout the state," he said. "I welcome the challenge." McQuillan's official start date is January 3.

Last Updated: January 3, 2002