Topeka ? A veteran Kansas educator has been named to serve as interim commissioner of the state education department.

The Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday named Diane DeBacker to fill the vacancy left by Alexa Posny.

Posny has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the federal post of assistant secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. She takes that post in November.

DeBacker currently serves as deputy commissioner for the state’s division of learning services. She has served several roles at the state department and was associate superintendent at Shawnee Heights near Topeka.

The 10-member board will conduct a national search for replacing Posny.