WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is turning to South Carolina's former school superintendent to head an expanded Consumer Product Safety Commission, an embattled agency that has been criticized by advocates for being too cozy with industry.

The president was set today to propose two more seats on the panel and ask Congress for $107 million to fund the agency charged with ensuring that products from toys and cribs to ATVs and toasters are safe for use.

The budget request falls short of the president's campaign pledge to double the agency's funding, although aides say it is almost three-quarters of the way there.

Administration officials discussed the proposals on the condition of anonymity to preview Obama's plan.

"We must do more to protect the American public, especially our nation's children, from being harmed by unsafe products," Obama said in a statement the White House planned to distribute.