BOSTON (AP) — The state Commissioner of Early Education and Care has stepped down, but says her resignation is unrelated to criticism of her participation in a school superintendent mentoring program.

Sherri Killins (Image courtesy: mass.gov)

Sherri Killins tells The Republican of Springfield that she stepped down Monday because it was “a good time for a transition,” adding that she was not pressured to resign.

Killins participation in a superintendent training program in Ware was under review by Secretary of Education Matthew Malone. The program required about 300 hours of tutoring that would prepare Killins to be a school superintendent.

Her participation in the mentoring program had come under question because it detracted from the official duties of her $200,000 per year job.

Malone has appointed Undersecretary of Education Tom Weber to replace Killins on an interim basis.

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