The state Board of Education hired Pam Stewart as Education Commissioner Tuesday. Stewart had been filling the post on an interim basis.
Board members say they liked the continuity Stewart brings after five people had held the job since March of 2011. Stewart says she has strong reason to think about what's best for students.
"Any decision that I make.That's what I'm remembering", said Stewart, "It's not just your son. It's my grandson and my granddaughter and my other granddaughter who will soon be attending public school, that I think it's so very important that we get this right."
Stewart follows Tony Bennett, who resigned from the post last month. She has twice served as interim commissioner and been a classroom teacher.