Kendra Clay, a staff attorney at the Arkansas Department of Education since 2010, will become the agency's new general counsel effective July 1, state Education Commissioner Johnny Key announced Tuesday.
Clay replaces Jeremy Lasiter, who is leaving the Education Department to be an attorney and head of the human-resources department in the Bryant School District.
As general counsel, Clay will oversee the Office of Legal Services, which ensures agency compliance with federal and state legal requirements. The office advises the commissioner and state Board of Education regarding policies and legislation, oversees the agency's rule-making process and manages litigation.
Before joining the Education Department, Clay was in private practice for two years.
She has a bachelor's degree in international business from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and a law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans.
Metro on 06/24/2015