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HARRISBURG, PA (Jan. 17, 2023) — Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, issued the following statement as Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis took their oaths of office today.

“Gov. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis take office as strong proponents of public education, Pennsylvania students, and the hardworking educators and support professionals in our schools,” Askey said. “We look forward to working with both of them and the Legislature to ensure our students continue to have the tools they need to succeed.

“Gov. Shapiro has demonstrated his strong commitment to education by nominating Dr. Khalid Mumin to be Pennsylvania’s secretary of education. Dr. Mumin is an extraordinary leader and a committed educator, and we have every confidence that he will hit the ground running, working to ensure that every student in every one of Pennsylvania’s public schools gets the best possible education.

“Throughout the gubernatorial campaign, Gov. Shapiro remained focused on ideas that work in public education. He has promised to reduce the time students spend on standardized tests, keep our schools safe, and expand access to vocational, technical, and computer training.

“Gov. Shapiro also recognizes that too many students are struggling with mental and emotional health issues. He will take steps to ensure that every school building in Pennsylvania has at least one mental health professional so that kids can access help when they need it.

“On behalf of the 177,000 educators and support professionals I represent as PSEA’s president, I want to congratulate Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis and pledge to work with them to make Pennsylvania’s public schools the very best that they can be.”

An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, student teachers, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.