The state’s Department of Education will have a new secretary starting in early December. Khalid Mumin gave his two weeks’ notice Friday afternoon. 

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Education,” Mumin said in a statement. “I began my career as a teacher in a classroom, and those early experiences watching students get excited about learning inspired me to become a principal, a superintendent, and ultimately Secretary of Education, so I could continue to fight for those students to get more support and more opportunities.”

Mumin visited Pittsburgh this spring to announce that Penn Hills School District had navigated its way out of financial hardship. And in September, Mumin’s department awarded Allegheny County schools just shy of $11 million for environmental repairs.

A Philadelphia native, Mumin has led the Education Department since June 2023. He’d previously been a superintendent of two southeastern Pennsylvania districts — Reading and Lower Merion.

In a statement, Gov. Josh Shapiro thanked Mumin for delivering on the universal free breakfast program for more than 1 million students and investing in career and technical education. He led the department with “passion and integrity,” Shapiro added. The governor did not say where Mumin would work next. The Department of Education would also not share further details Friday.

In Mumin’s place will be department Secretary Angela Fitterer, a former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Tom Wolf and policy advisor for the state House. Mumin’s final day as Secretary will be Dec. 6.

Democratic Senate Education Committee leader Lindsey Williams of Allegheny County said she’s grateful Mumin increased support for student mental health. Williams added Mumin’s successor “must be prepared to defend Pennsylvania students’ constitutional right to a high-quality inclusive public education” given the incoming administration of Donald Trump.

“It’s hard to last an entire term in a cabinet position that’s as high-impact as secretary of education,” said Republican House Education Committee leader Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County. “Overall I think he gave a good effort.”

Topper, who Republican House members recently named as their next leader, said he worked alongside interim Secretary Fitterer on the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission: “She’s very capable to fill in this spot right now.”

Pittsburgh state Rep. Aerion Abney, member of the state House education committee and Allegheny County chair, said his time in Harrisburg intersected with Mumin’s over the past two years: “I’ve come to know the secretary well.”

“[Mumin’s] commitment to connecting future generations with the tools and resources needed to apply themselves to their fullest potential inside and outside of the classroom is second to none,” Abney said in a statement to WESA. “Good luck to him in all his future endeavors.”

Abney said he’s confident Fitterer will “[continue] the mission to keep the playing field level for young Pennsylvanians and help prepare them for the next stage of their lives.”

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Toby Herzog from Ambler, Pennsylvania has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at William & Mary beginning in fall 2025.

“I am ecstatic to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at William & Mary. Thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, and parents for your continuous support. Can’t wait for 2025! GO TRIBE! “

Herzog swims for Upper Dublin Aquatic Club and is in his senior year at Upper Dublin High School, botu out of Fort Washington, PA. This past March, he finished 4th in the 100 breast at the PIAA 3A State Championships swimming to a 55.63. He was slightly faster in prelims with a 55.46 which made him the 2nd seed heading into finals. His best time of a 55.35 from December 2023 notably would have finished 3rd.

In addition to his ‘A’ final appearance in the 100 breast, he also won the 200 IM, clocking a 1:53.43, a personal best time. He made huge strides in the event as a junior as he started his junior campaign with a best time of a 2:04.80.

Herzog’s best SCY times are:

• 100 breast: 55.35
• 200 breast: 2:02.18
• 200 IM: 1:53.43

The William & Mary men finished 5th out of 6 teams at the 2024 CAA Championships. The team was less than 100 points behind 4th place Drexel.

Based on his best times, Herzog has the potential to be an immediate impact upon his arrival. His best time in the 100 breast would have made the ‘B’ final. The team notably had 2 ‘A’ finalists in the event with Brock Rempe (54.00) and Logan McDonald (54.01) finishing 5th and 6th. Herzog’s best time in the 200 breast would also have made the ‘B’ final.

Herzog will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Leo O’Keefe (backstroke), Blaise VanSlyke (sprint free), and Aiden Grendysz (fly).

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