Governor Tom Corbett today announced that Ronald J. Tomalis will leave his post as Secretary of Education on May 31 to become Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education.

Tomalis, who has been with the administration since January 2011, will be responsible for overseeing, implementing and reviewing the recommendations made by the Governor’s Postsecondary Advisory Commission. 

To replace Tomalis, the governor will be nominating Dr. William E. Harner, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. His nomination will need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Following a 20-year military career, Harner served in several educational capacities, from middle school principal to school superintendent in South Carolina to deputy chief executive officer of the School District of Philadelphia.

Click here for the full press release (from the Office of the Governor).