HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett dismissed his second education secretary in three months on Monday when he asked for the resignation of nominee William Harner over a what one administration official characterized as multiple and inappropriate comments that arose separately from his state service.

Harner’s dismissal came after Corbett, a Republican, removed Ron Tomalis in May without explanation.

An administration statement on Harner’s resignation gave no reason for the move. A Corbett spokeswoman, Lynn Lawson, said that it involved a personnel matter that did not involve Harner’s time in the Corbett administration.

Lawson would not elaborate, but a Corbett administration official who was briefed on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said it involved multiple and inappropriate workplace comments by Harner, who was previously the superintendent of large school district in suburban Harrisburg.

In a statement posted online late Monday by The Sentinel of Carlisle, Harner said he was disappointed that he was out as education secretary and said “detractors” to his leadership approach “have succeeded in undermining my confirmation with a campaign of distortions.”