Caruolo tapped to lead education board

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has asked a veteran lawmaker and top education official to lead a new state board overseeing public and higher education in the state.

Chafee on Thursday announced that he has picked George Caruolo to be the chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Education.

The selection must be approved by the state Senate.

Caruolo, an attorney, served 18 years in the Rhode Island House.

He was appointed as chairman of the state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education last year.

Lawmakers voted earlier this year to merge the Board of Regents and the Board of Governors for Higher Education into a single Board of Education.