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Dr. David Long appointed as Secretary of Education
Dr. David Long, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, has been appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to be the California Secretary of Education. The appointment was announced by the governor today (Wednesday, March 28, 2007) at a news conference in Sacramento.
“I deeply appreciate Gov. Schwarzenegger’s confidence in me and I look forward to working with the leadership of this state to benefit the more than six million students of the state of California,” Long said. “Throughout my many years in education I have remained focused on the student in the classroom. As a teacher and coach, superintendent and now Secretary of Education, my focus remains on each and every child and what he or she needs to achieve and be successful in life.”
Dr. Long will be meeting with members of the governor's office, the Riverside County Board of Education, and RCOE division leaders to coordinate a smooth transition in preparation for his service in the governor's cabinet.
Dr. Long was elected as Riverside County Superintendent of Schools in 1998 and is currently serving in his third term. He has more than 40 years of experience in education, including 21 years as a classroom teacher and coach, principal, and district superintendent in Banning and Lake Elsinore.
He currently heads the Riverside County Office of Education with 2,000 employees and a budget totaling more than $260 million. RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 local districts with training, fiscal support, and certain state mandated educational programs.
He has been an innovative and strong education leader who has garnered national attention, creating the Riverside County Achievement Teams (RCAT), which have helped Riverside County outpace the state in improving test scores, and focused attention on issues such as Scotopic Sensitivity, which creates reading problems for some students.
He is active both in state and national arenas, serving as the President of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA), and chairing the national Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Education.
He has been honored as California Administrator of the Year by the National Organization of Partners in Education, Superintendent of the Year, and received the Governor’s Award for school leadership. He was recently honored as the Inland Empire 2003 Entrepreneur of the Year for his innovative approach to raising student achievement through the Riverside County Achievement Teams.
He has been awarded the prestigious Marcus Foster Memorial Award from the Association of California School Administrators for outstanding leadership and significant contributions to public education by a school administrator.
Dr. Long has been deeply involved in communities. He is one of the First 5 Riverside commissioners, earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from 23rd District PTA, and Lifelong Learning Award from the Boy Scouts of America. His focus is to support the 23 school districts in the county and specifically the more than 400,000 students they serve.
He is originally from Mason City, Iowa, and obtained his Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Dave and his wife, Joanne, a principal in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, have two daughters, Angelica and Vika. In addition, Dr. Long has four adult children and 12 grandchildren.
What people are saying about Dr. Long:
Jim Brulte, former State Senator
"I applaud Gov. Schwarzenegger for his choice of Dr. David Long for Secretary of Education. Dave is a dynamic leader who is known around the state and nation for innovative programs to improve student achievement. Dr. Long has been in the classroom; he has been a principal and school district superintendent. He knows what we need to do, and will help the governor make the right decisions to benefit each and every student."
Frank Passarella, Superintendent, Lake Elsinore Unified School District
"I think that our governor has made one of the best decisions for the students throughout the state of California. Dr. Dave Long has always been and will continue to be the individual who clearly focuses on the best interests of the youth we serve. He is a leader among educators throughout the state and will provide a clear focus in moving public education in the right direction."
Doris Wilson, Superintendent, Desert Sands Unified School District
"I am so thrilled that his professionalism and expertise are being recognized at the state and national level. Dr. Long represents all of us in education and has moved Riverside County to the forefront in California. We wish him well and we will miss him dearly."
Paul Jessup, Superintendent, Alvord Unified School District
"Dave’s leadership and success in Riverside County have obviously been noted by the governor, and the skills and abilities he possesses will be great assets to the governor’s administration."
Bob Wells, Executive Director, Association of California School Administrators
"Dave Long is one of our most respected leaders. He has been a successful school superintendent and done a tremendous job leading and serving the schools in Riverside County. Governor Schwarzenegger has made an excellent choice, and we look forward to working with Dr. Long and the administration on the important issues facing our schools, including adequacy of school funding and the federal reauthorization of NCLB, among many others."
Scott Plotkin, Executive Director, California School Boards Association
"I couldn’t be happier. I am absolutely delighted that the governor has chosen such a experienced and distinguished educator with both school district and county office experience to be the new secretary of education. I look forward to working with Dave as he helps the governor create an agenda for the public schools of the 21st Century."
Jamil Dada, Chair, Riverside County Workforce Development Board, member California Workforce Investment Board, Vice President National Association of Workforce Boards
"The biggest issue not just in California, but in the nation, is creating an educated and skilled workforce, and to do that we need to bridge the gap between education and business. I am speaking not just as Chair of the Workforce Development Board, but a banker, an employer in Riverside. I have worked with Dr. Long for many years, and having Dr. Long as a Secretary of Education will give us a big jump on making that bridge happen, and forming that partnership."
Kathy Kinley, President, California School Boards Association
"He has experienced tremendous growth during his time in Riverside County, and he also understands the issue of declining enrollment. I believe he is an excellent choice. He realizes the challenges that schools face in this age of accountability, and I think he also understands the need for more resources."
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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