Shirley Neely: Giving multiple choice answers.

Texas Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley is resigning, but it’s unclear whether she jumped or was pushed.

In the official Texas Education Agency press release issued this morning, Neeley said she was leaving to concentrate on her family. She originally intended to stay in the post until 2009 but had reconsidered her life’s priorities after doctors diagnosed the return of her melanoma in May this year.

But in a letter to her staff and friends, reported by Jason Embry at the Statesman, Neeley blames Gov. Rick Perry. She cites his refusal to renew her appointment and that she felt like a “superintendent when a school board decides to take no action or not to extend their contract.”

This article appears in June 15 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.