The appointment of Arne Duncan from Chicago Public Schools as the next U.S. secretary of education is an excellent choice, said Denver Superintendent Michael Bennet — who was in contention for the position.
“I couldn’t feel better about the outcome,” Bennet said Monday, stepping away from a board meeting to meet with reporters. “Arne Duncan is a great choice. He’s a terrific head of the schools in Chicago and has done a lot of great things. . . . And I like him personally, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Bennet, 44, wouldn’t say directly whether he was a candidate, though sources say he, friends and associates were vetted by federal authorities.
The choice was between Bennet and Duncan, according to a source close to the Obama transition team.
“If I was given any consideration at all, it really is an incredible testament to our principals and teachers,” said Bennet, who said he was told the news Monday afternoon. “I didn’t have a bad second choice, which is to continue doing my work here.”
Bennet said he is not expecting to accept any other position in the Obama administration, saying he intends to remain as DPS superintendent through next year.
“That’s certainly my intention,” Bennet said.
Bennet, who has been Denver’s superintendent since 2005, was an early supporter of Obama and co-hosted a fundraiser in Colorado during the Democratic primary process.
He also advised Obama’s team on education issues during the campaign.
The selection of Duncan means Obama is ready to tackle some of the tough issues facing the country’s schools, Bennet said.
“Having a sitting superintendent in that position is phenomenal … to have someone go into that chair who has a knowledge of the day-to-day work in our schools,” Bennet said. “I hope this is the beginning of an era of continuing change.”
Duncan, 44, has run the country’s third-largest school district for seven years and has focused on improving struggling schools, closing those that are failing and improving teaching.
Wire services say the appointment will be announced at a conference today at a Chicago school.
“I came away feeling terrific about this,” Bennet said. “I am not surprised he picked Arne.”
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
