The Government's $250,000-a-year US education consultant is to act as the new commissioner of the Island's public schools.

Education Minister Randy Horton said last night that Henry Johnson, Bermuda's consultant executive officer for education, would fill the role until a permanent appointment was made.

Dr. Johnson's contract runs out in June 2009. The Royal Gazette understands that he is likely to perform dual duties without a salary increase in the meantime.

The Commissioner of Education is a new position created under the Education Amendment Act 2008. The person appointed will be tasked with leading a reorganised Ministry of Education and drafting a strategy for public schools in the wake of last year's highly critical Hopkins report.

A new beefed-up Education Board, also created under the Act, will make recommendations to the Education Minister on the appointment of the Commissioner and on new directors of academics, business, and standards and accountability at the Ministry.

The Ministry has given little else away to date about what powers the new Commissioner will have. The Act says the post holder will be tasked with preparing a "statement of vision, values and strategy for education" as well as evaluating the performance of the Ministry's new directors; assessing schools' performances; developing curriculum; creating an incentive plan for principals and teachers; dealing with finance, human resources, communications and information technology and negotiating with unions.