CSBA calls David Long an excellent choice for Education Secretary

WEST SACRAMENTO – The California School Boards Association welcomed the appointment of Riverside County Superintendent David Long as California’s new Secretary of Education. CSBA President Kathy Kinley, herself a longtime educator in San Bernardino County, said she was delighted with the appointment of a man with such extensive experience in the field.

“He managed tremendous enrollment growth during his time in Riverside County, and he also understands the issue of declining enrollment,” said Kinley, a retired middle school principal and former teacher who serves on the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees. “I believe he is an excellent choice. He realizes the challenges that schools face in this age of accountability, and he also understands the need for more resources.”

Kinley said Riverside and San Bernardino counties work closely together on a number of educational projects, including The Promise Initiative for English language learners. Both counties serve large numbers of students who speak a primary language other than English. She praised Long’s involvement with federal Education Secretary Margaret Spellings on the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program.

Kinley said she hopes Long will work with the association as a partner on CSBA’s Fix NCLB campaign, that, among other things, seeks to reform the federal law to include more workable and realistic goals. “I am also hoping we’ll be partners in the effort to close the achievement gap,” she said.