Salem schools superintendent will replace Tutwiler as state education secretary

February 10, 2026 - 20:16

In a significant cabinet shift, Governor Maura Healey has selected Salem Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Zrike to succeed Patrick Tutwiler as the state's Secretary of Education. Tutwiler, one of Healey's first appointees upon her election, is departing the role for a position in the nonprofit sector.

Zrike brings extensive district leadership experience to the role, having previously served as superintendent in Holyoke and as a turnaround administrator in Boston. His tenure in Salem was marked by a focus on equity, expanding early childhood programs, and navigating the complex challenges of the post-pandemic educational landscape. The appointment signals a continued emphasis on practical, district-level expertise within the Healey administration's education policy team.

The transition comes at a critical time for Massachusetts schools, which are grappling with issues ranging from learning recovery and funding equity to the implementation of new early literacy initiatives. Zrike's deep familiarity with the day-to-day operations of public school systems will be immediately tested as he assumes responsibility for guiding the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Higher Education. The change in leadership awaits confirmation by the Governor's Council.