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New state superintendent takes office
Randy Dorn to create ‘hope and opportunity’ in public education
OLYMPIA - January 14, 2009 - Randy Dorn was sworn in today as Washington state’s 15th superintendent of public instruction.
Dorn, who defeated 12-year incumbent Terry Bergeson in a statewide election in November, takes over an agency responsible for 295 school districts and more than one million students.
"I look forward to using my years of experience to unite educators, administrators, support staff and community leaders in our common goal: to help every child in this state succeed," Dorn said.
"Public education should be about creating hope and opportunity. In the recent past, we’ve moved toward fear and closing doors. I want to open those doors. I want to take us back to hope."
The new executive team at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction will include Ken Kanikeberg as chief of staff and Alan Burke and Robert Harkins as deputy superintendents. Burke will oversee teaching and learning, student support and assessment, while Harkins will guide communications and the agency’s relationship with community partners.
A lifelong resident of Washington state, Dorn has spent his career in education. He taught at elementary and middle schools and was an elementary and a high school principal. For seven years he served in the state House of Representatives, and for a time chaired the House Education Committee.
In 1999, Dorn became executive director of the Public School Employees of Washington, the second largest educational employee’s organization in Washington state.
Dorn lives with his wife, Kaye, in Eatonville. They have three grown sons.
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