LANSING, MI-- State schools superintendent Brian Whiston has died, following a battle with cancer.
Whiston stepped down in March to focus on his health and took an extended medical leave.
He became superintendent in 2015. One of his goals was to make Michigan one of the top 10 states with the highest-quality schools within in a 10-year period. Whiston said he was sad he wouldn’t be a part of seeing whether his plans worked out or not.
Governor Rick Snyder released this statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that I learned the news of the passing of State Superintendent Brian Whiston. Brian’s dedication and work on behalf of all Michigan students and teachers was exemplary. He was an outstanding partner who understood that, just as teachers work every day to challenge their students to do better, we all need to challenge ourselves to do better for students. The partnerships to help struggling districts, his work to help implement the Marshall Plan for Talent, his Top 10 in 10 program, and many other initiatives he undertook during his career will be part of Brian’s longstanding efforts to make Michigan a national leader in education. I will miss working with him greatly.”
