Klinzing rises to Education deputy commissioner; two new assistant commissioners are named

Karen Klinzing has taken a new job as deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Klinzing, a former GOP state representative who has most recently been an assistant commissioner at MDE, replaces Chas Anderson. Anderson, who had been deputy commissioner since the beginning of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s administration, left earlier this summer to join a national education policy group.

MDE is also getting two new assistant commissioners.

Lori Grivna is making the move to MDE from Pawlenty’s office. Grivna, who has been a senior policy advisor to Pawlenty since September 2009, will join the department later this week as an assistant commissioner.

Grivna served two terms on the Mounds View School Board. She also twice unsuccessfully challenged state Rep. Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton.

Also moving up in the ranks at MDE is Karen Carlson. Carlson, who has been director of the early learning services divisions, is becoming an assistant commissioner.

The leadership ranks have thinned recently at the agency since Anderson’s departure along. Also Communications Director Bill Walsh has taken a leave to work on GOP-endorsed Tom Emmer’s gubernatorial campaign.