The hiring of an education commissioner has been delayed as no agreement could be made with the leading candidate on the “economic terms of the appointment”.

Acting commissioner Dr Freddie Evans will continue in his role into the next school year.

The process began in the fall and two candidates were shortlisted in January. One of the candidates was “advanced with the unanimous agreement of the Board’s Selection Committee” but in the ensuing months the parties failed to reach an agreement.

A spokeswoman for the Board of Education told The Royal Gazette: “The Board is most considerate of the need to have stable leadership at the Department of Education, in that regard the Board is fully supportive of the decision by the permanent secretary of education to extend the acting appointment of Dr Freddie Evans as commissioner of education into the next school year.

“The Board wishes to encourage all stakeholders to continue to support Dr Evans in carrying out this critical role.

“The Board of Education will continue to work with the Ministry of Education in evaluating next steps with regard to initiating a new search process, including new strategies to identify potentially qualified Bermudians.”

On the appointment of Education Minister Wayne Scott in January of this year, Premier Michael Dunkley said the appointment of a permanent secretary and an education commissioner was “imminent”. Valerie Robinson-James was appointed permanent secretary the following month but the commissioner’s seat will remain empty for the time being.

The previous commissioner, Edmond Heatley, had a short tenure, having taken the job in August, 2013 and resigning just eight months later.