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State Board Confirms Three Senior Department Appointments; Dr. Lily Locks to Become Acting Commissioner
Summary
The New Jersey State Board of Education confirmed three senior Department of Education appointments and approved a plan to elevate Dr. Lily Locks to acting commissioner, while members praised the new appointees and emphasized continuity for the state's 1.4 million students.
The New Jersey State Board of Education on Feb. 10, 2026, confirmed three senior appointments to the Department of Education and endorsed a plan by the commissioner to elevate Dr. Lily Locks to acting commissioner later the same day.
Dr. Lily Locks was confirmed as assistant commissioner for the Division of Educational Services after a motion and second by board members; the board voted in favor and the appointment carried. In brief remarks to the board, Dr. Locks called the confirmation “a tremendous honor” and said, “public schools are essential to who I am and my life story,” and that she looked forward to working collaboratively with educators and board members.
The commissioner presented the nominee as someone the governor had selected for the role; the commissioner told the board he would nominate Dr. Locks to serve as acting commissioner at the end of the day, a step the commissioner described as an expected personnel transition. Board members who had interviewed Dr. Locks in executive session praised her experience and background and said they looked forward to working with her.
The board also voted to confirm Dr. Joseph Howe as assistant commissioner for the Division of Finance and Business Services. Members noted his experience would be important as the department prepares for upcoming budget work.
Christopher Williams was confirmed as chief of staff; in brief remarks he said he had started in the position about a week and a half earlier and stressed collaboration and relationships, and pledged to work to serve New Jersey’s roughly 1.4 million public school students.
Procedural items handled at the meeting included approval of the Jan. 7 meeting minutes (a motion passed with an abstention noted in the record). The board chair opened and closed each confirmation with an opportunity for comment; no public testimony was recorded related to the appointments at the meeting.
What’s next: The commissioner indicated he would nominate Dr. Locks to serve as acting commissioner; that internal personnel step and any required administrative actions at the department will follow according to standard practice.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the board meeting record: Dr. Lily Locks (assistant commissioner appointee), Commissioner (presenter), Dr. Joseph Howe, and Christopher Williams.
