In a political power play, Chair of the State Board of Education John R. Silber resigned yesterday after selecting a successor, James A. Peyser, in order to break a board stalemate over selecting an education commissioner.

Silber's decision, which hinged on Gov. A. Paul Cellucci's decision to appoint Peyser, will clear the path for Acting Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll to be approved by the board for a permanent position.

The board, which delayed a vote on the new commissioner at its last meeting on Feb. 23, had reached an impasse over selecting a new commissioner. Driscoll had received five of the necessary six votes and Peyser had secured four, creating the deadlock.

While the board had been trying to appoint a permanent educational commissioner since Robert Antonucci's resignation last February, it had struggled with political divisions.

"It was a necessary step, but it's yet to be proven to end the political divisions Education School professor and chair of the Mass. Education Reform Review Commission.

"We've gone through a highly divisive era under Silber which has resulted in a highly divided board," he said.

State legislators echoed Reville's desire for the state board to move beyond the political battles, and onto focusing on education.

"I hope the board will get back to business in making education work," said Rep. Harold M. Lane (D-Holden), co-chair of the Legislature's Education Committee.

While Peyser worked with Driscoll as a board member, the two potential candidates offered distinctly different backgrounds and views, on everything from veteran teacher testing to charter schools and vouchers.

Driscoll, who opposes veteran teacher testing and is a strong advocate of public education, rose through the education ranks as a Mass. school teacher and superintendent--the polar opposite of Peyser.

Peyser, who was favored by Cellucci, iscurrently the executive director of the pioneerInstitute for Public Policy Research. Hiseducational experience is limited to his time onthe board and four months as a charter schoolsconsultant for former Gov. William F. Weld '66.

The board's struggle to select a newcommissioner, according to Lane, was rooted inCellucci's desire to appoint a similar-mindedofficial-a movement the board resisted.

"When [Silber] said that there was an impasseon the board...they were the ones who had animpasse. It's an obfuscation to say it's animpasse," he said.

Even Driscoll characterized his interactionswith Silber as difficult.

"It's been a challenge working with him," hesaid.

Lane supported Driscoll's assertion of thedifficulty of working with Silber.