Mayor Fenty Names Interim Superintendent for Education

Mayor Fenty Names Interim Superintendent for Education

Washington, DC – Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty named Beth Colleye as interim State Superintendent of Education, overseeing all aspects of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Colleye previously served as the OSSE general counsel.

As general counsel, Colleye built the OSSE General Counsel’s Office into an integral part of the agency and managed successful legal strategies to get the District out of special education class action lawsuits. Representing the District in multiple federal government audits and enforcement actions, Colleye has assisted in saving the city millions of dollars in potential audit findings. Additionally, Colleye helped draft and implement compliance policies, state-level standards and legal opinions central to education reforms.

“Beth Colleye has served as a valuable asset to the education team, and will play a vital role in furthering OSSE’s goals,” said Mayor Fenty. “I’m confident she will work as hard as humanly possible to ensure the best interest of our students remains a priority for the agency.”

“Beth Colleye has worked tirelessly to improve education for all District youth,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso. “Her compassion, sense of urgency, and hard work has helped move the District and education reform in the right direction.”

Beth Colleye

Interim State Superintendent of Education

As the interim state superintendent of education, Colleye will utilize her existing experience and knowledge of the agency to continue the education reforms set forth by Mayor Fenty while aiding transition efforts in preparation for new leadership.

Prior to joining OSSE, Colleye served as counsel for Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP and as an associate for Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP. In both of those positions, she managed complex financial investigations domestically and abroad.

A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and Columbia College in New York City, Colleye currently resides in Ward 3 where her school-aged daughters attend DC Public Schools.