Britany Horn is reporting in the Times Union the state Board of Regents Tue., May 26, chose MaryEllen Elia (EH-lee-uh) as the state's next education commissioner. The Lewiston, Niagara Co. native will begin her job July 6. She will be the state's first permanent female commissioner. Elia was one of seven interviewed for the job, but was the only candidate brought in to interview with the full board. She will succeed John King, who left the post in December. Elia most recently served as superintendent of the Hillsborough County Schools in Tampa, Fla., the nation's eighth largest school district with more than 200,000 enrolled students. She was voted out of her job in March by that school board after 10 years of service, and after she was named the 2015 Florida Superintendent of the Year. While at Hillsborough Elia helped start the state's teacher evaluation system, tailoring it to fit the district's needs. Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch called Tuesday a "crucial day" for the state, citing Elia as a welcome and necessary change to help push education forward. Read the full story in the Times Union.