Gov. John Lynch tapped David Ruedig '70 to be the new chairman of the New Hampshire State Board of Education last week. Reudig's appointment comes after 28 years of dedicated service to public school boards, which he began by selling diapers at a fundraiser for his son's preschool in 1977.
Describing his reaction upon hearing the news, Ruedig said he was flattered and surprised to have earned the top post.
Lynch, however, lauded Ruedig's many years of experience.
"[Ruedig] will bring to this role a deep commitment to public education, extensive experience and an ability to build consensus to make progress," Lynch said.
Ruedig does not envision any sweeping ideological changes during his tenure but will focus on "efficiency of administration," as like many other states, New Hampshire is currently experiencing a budget crisis. He will also focus on encouraging reading in younger children, which he says will serve to broaden later educational opportunities.
Ruedig, who has sat on the board since 1999 and previously served as president of the Concord School Board, is a vice president of finance at UBS Financial Services in Concord. He was also the president of the American Red Cross' Concord chapter and the director of the United Way of Merrimack County.
Although he began his career at Dartmouth as an Arabic studies major, Ruedig quickly discovered he was "unemployable" given this interest and switched to history. He received his teacher's certification through a program at the Tucker Foundation.
Of his early teaching experience, Ruedig said he was "frankly not qualified" and declined to name the district where he taught, citing that they "were still after him." This early experience was important, however, in providing him with an appreciation of just how hard a teacher's job can be.
Although he has risen through the ranks of the educational community in New Hampshire, Ruedig said he is satisfied with his new post and does not view it as a steppingstone to future political positions.
Reudig replaces Fred Bramante of Durham as the board's new chairman. Bramante, who will stay on as a board member, ran unsuccessfully for governor four times, three as a Republican and one as an independent.
The State Board of Education is composed of seven people who can serve a maximum of two five-year terms. Members are not reimbursed for their responsibilities, which include reviewing programs, advising the state education commissioner, hearing appeals regarding decisions and appointing members.
