Rodney Elliott, who in February announced he would not be seeking re-election to the Massachusetts State House this Fall, didn’t have to wait long to find his next opportunity.

The 16th Middlesex State Representative has accepted a position as Assistant Director of Finance with the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, with a start date of July 1.

Elliott tells InsideLowell he still hopes to complete his term in an unpaid capacity on Beacon Hill. He said the House Counsel has submitted a request with the State Ethics Commission for a ruling on whether that is possible. If not, he will have to step down as State Rep, leaving the seat vacant through the end of the year.

“I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career,” Elliott said when contacted this afternoon. “I have over 40-years of experience in finance and budgeting, and with a Business  Manager’s License through DESE, this position with the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell represents a great opportunity to use my expertise to continue growing this important institution that provides educational opportunities for Lowell’s students.”

Elliott won election to the 16th Middlesex District seat in 2022 and is serving his second term. He mounted a run for 1st Middlesex State Senate this past February, coming up short in the Democratic primary against his House colleague, Vanna Howard.

He stressed that his State House staff remains in place and will continue to be available to help with constituent services, even if the ethics ruling comes back requiring him to step down from his representative’s seat.

We are excited to welcome Rodney Elliott to the Collegiate community,” said Collegiate Charter School of Lowell Executive Director Adam Bakr. “He is the perfect fit to provide the operational and financial leadership we are seeking with the imminent departure of our longtime Director of Finance. Mr. Elliott holds a School Business Administrator license from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and has extensive financial experience, including serving as a former Capital Budget Director for DCR, as well as in many other similar roles. He has also worked in education, having taught at Suffolk University, and is a highly respected, long-standing leader in the Lowell community. We look forward to his leadership on many upcoming projects that are critical to the school’s continued success.”