Associated Press - April 21, 2009 7:55 PM ET

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Retired state official Carole Huxley has been named interim education commissioner by New York state's Board of Regents.

The 71-year-old Huxley starts work in May. She'll become interim commissioner on July 1, when Education Commissioner Richard Mills leaves the $195,000-a-year post.

The state Education Department says Huxley is expected to serve for a few months, until a new commissioner is named.

Huxley retired in 2006 as deputy commissioner of cultural education. Her areas of focus included libraries and public broadcasting.

She and her husband live in Loudonville, an Albany suburb.

Her pay will be prorated on the education commissioner's annual salary. Huxley will continue to draw a $72,000 annual pension, plus Social Security.

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