"[He] is not an inclusive gay. He'd rather makea decision in the abstract then listen to people,"he said.

"Kevin Carleton, Silber's spokesperson,characterized Silber's support for Peyser aslogical because of the need for massiveeducational reform from someone outside theeducation establishment.

"Do you want to put the process of reform intothe hands of someone which that system produced?"he said.

Carleton pointed out that Horace Mann, thefamous Massachusetts education reformer, had beeninvolved in politics before education.

While teacher advocates supported Driscoll andsaid they are concerned about Peyser, they seeSilber's resignation, after a three-year term, asa chance for a clean slate.

"There has been entirely too much politicalbickering going on," said Stephen Gorrie,president of the Massachusetts TeachersAssociation. "We need to move from that and moveon."

"I'm hoping that when all of the dust settles,[Silber] will bring everybody to the table todiscuss where we need to go, "he said.

The recent politicization of the State board ofEducation disturbs some legislators who ideallysee the board as being totally isolated fromoutside influence.

While the governor selects the board members,Lane said, he sees the board as distinctly dividedfrom the world of the State House.

"The idea dating back to Horace Mann is thatthe board should be isolated from the hurly-burlyof politics," he said. "I'd hope we would send amessage back to the original intent."

Lane said he felt Cellucci had tried to swaymembers of the board by meeting with boardmembers-especially Abigail Thernstrom-in anattempt to get them to change their vote.

Carleton characterized the board as one thatacts independently of any political motives.

"Chiefly the views of the board have been basedon their individual views," he said. "It has notbeen a rubber-stamp board."

However the board has dealt with outsidepolitical wrangling, especially on the teachertesting issue.

Frank Haydu, former interim educationcommissioner, resigned last July after Celluccireconvened the board to push through a proposal toraise the scores needed to pass the new teachertests.

Haydu said he felt Silber's connection toBoston University, where he is a chancellor,created an undue influence on board policy.

"There was some truth in the claim [that BostonUniversity was running the State Board ofEducation]. Hopefully, this will result in adecline of Boston University's influence," hesaid.

However, Haydu did praise Silber for bringingeducation to the forefront of the state'sconsciousness.

Beyond the criticisms, Silber did garner praisefor educational efforts.

"He has had a deep belief in education so I'llhope he will be remembered for that despite someof the more preposterous thing he has said," Lanesaid