Andy Smarick, Fordham Fellow and highly regarded eduwonk, will be Bret Schundler’s lone deputy at the Department of Education, according to the Edweek blog, Politics K-12. If so, he’ll replace Deputy Commissioner Willa Spicer as Schundler’s right-hand man.

Does Smarick’s ed reform bona fides get us extra points on our Race To The Top application?

Says Edweek, “Smarick officially starts his new role sometime this summer, probably in early August (although if New Jersey were wise, it would tap his expertise as it puts the finishing touches on its Round 2 Race to the Top application, due June 1).”