Education

Education Department Executive Resigns After Dispute With DeVos

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Rob Shimshock Education Reporter
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A leading member of the Department of Education resigned Tuesday following a dispute with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

James Runcie, the Office of Federal Student Aid’s chief operating officer, “submitted his resignation to the department [Tuesday] night,” according to a press release obtained by Politico. Runcie was scheduled to testify Thursday to the House Oversight Committee on increasing improper compensation in federal student aid.

Runcie allegedly told department administration that he was not suited to testify on the issue, but his refusal purportedly confused department leadership.

“The fact of the matter is that Congress requested Mr. Runcie to testify and Mr. Runcie refused to appear,” said Elizabeth Hill, press secretary for the Department of Education. “[DeVos] directed Mr. Runcie to comply with the request of Congress and to answer questions regarding oversight within FSA and repeated issues concerning improper payments. He chose to resign rather than face Congress.”

“[DeVos] looks forward to finding a highly-qualified candidate to effectively lead FSA and maintain the public’s trust in this agency so important to students.”

Matthew Sessa, Runcie’s deputy, will direct the student aid office “until further notice,” the department said in a statement obtained by Politico. An email sent to Office of Federal Student Aid staffers reported that Runcie “felt it was time to give an opportunity to someone else to provide leadership under a new Secretary of Education.”

Runcie filed his resignation on the same day that the Department of Education released its proposed budget. (RELATED: Trump Administration Proposes $10 Billion Cut To Education Dept)

The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to a source at the Department of Education, but did not receive comment in time for publication.

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