Education Secretary Arne Duncan to step down in December

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Education Secretary Arne Duncan plans to step down in December from the post he has held for seven years.

Duncan, a member of President Barack Obama's original Cabinet, told the White House Friday he will be returning to Chicago to be closer to his family. He will be replaced by John B. King, Jr., a former New York state commissioner and recently appointed deputy secretary at the department.

Duncan has clashed with teachers unions, parents and Congress during his time in office over issues that include testing and school privatization.

Duncan's wife, Karen, and his two children recently moved back to Chicago, where they lived before he took the post. When the family moved in July, Duncan's spokeswoman said he intended to commute to Chicago on weekends.

"Secretary Duncan remains committed to his work in the Cabinet and will continue to serve at the pleasure of the president," Dorie Nolt, Duncan's spokeswoman, said.

Obama is expected to make the announcement at 3:30 p.m., where he will also be taking questions on topics ranging from Russia's military action in Syria to the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon.