Ray McNulty Named Program Director for Education at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that Ray McNulty, current Vermont education commissioner, has been named program director within the foundation’s education program.

The foundation is focused on improving high school graduation rates, especially among African-American and Hispanic students, by transforming existing high schools and creating new high schools.

As program director, McNulty will lead the foundation’s efforts to improve the effectiveness of existing high schools by working closely with school districts and states around the country.  He will provide state and local education leaders with both strategic advice and technical assistance.

“With his experience as both a district superintendent and state education commissioner, Ray will be an invaluable addition to our education program,” said Tom Vander Ark, executive director of education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Drawing from his experience in Vermont, Ray will be an outstanding asset to grantees in other states who are committed to improving their high school education systems.”

Ray McNulty was appointed Vermont Education Commissioner in 2001. Prior to his appointment, he served as the superintendent of schools for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in Brattleboro, Vt. He also served as superintendent and assistant superintendent of schools in the Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union in Richford, Vt. McNulty is the president-elect of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, serves on the Board of Governors for the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University, and is former president of the Vermont Superintendents Association.

McNulty holds degrees from Bridgewater State College and Johnson State College. He is originally from Boston, Mass.