March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

McKernan makes Cabinet choices

AUGUSTA — Gov. John R. McKernan plans to nominate a Department of Human Services insider to succeed departing Commissioner Rollin Ives and the head of a southern Maine school system to replace departed Education Commissioner Eve Bither, sources said Wednesday.

Jane Sheehan, a former child welfare services ombudsman who recently served on McKernan’s staff, is to be announced as McKernan’s nominee for DHS commissioner, according to the sources.

Superintendent Leo G. Martin of the Kennebunk and Kennebunkport schools is McKernan’s choice to fill the Education Department vacancy, the sources said.

Officials declined to comment on the nominations, but McKernan’s choices are expected to be made public soon.

Sheehan did not immediately return several phone calls seeking comment on her status. Martin acknowledged that the announcement of his selection was forthcoming and said he expected his nomination to be formally posted on Monday.

Sheehan became one of Ives’ bureau directors less than three months ago in a top-echelon shakeup at the department. She succeeded Peter Walsh as director of the department’s embattled Bureau of Child and Family Services as Walsh moved to head the Bureau of Income Maintenance.

Martin has led SAD 71 in York County since 1976. He said Wednesday he looked forward to joining state government at “a wonderful time of opportunity.”

Martin said he realized the financial pressures facing the Education Department, but still hoped to spark innovations in the state’s approach to public schooling.

“I always have felt that times of adversity give us those opportunities,” he said.

Both nominations would be subject to review by legislative committees and to confirmation votes by the Senate.

Ives closes out his high-profile tenure as leader of the Human Services Department on Thursday, although technically he will remain on the payroll for two weeks of vacation, he said.


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