The Sacramento County Board of Education has announced the selection of Elk Grove Unified School District Superintendent David W. Gordon as Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools effective July 2004.
At a news conference held today in south Sacramento, County Board of Education President John C. Scribner — along with assembled Board members — announced that David Gordon will fill the post soon to be vacated by David P. Meaney, Ed.D. Dr. Meaney is retiring after 15 years of service as Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools.
In announcing Gordon's appointment, Scribner described the selection process and how the needs of Sacramento County Office of Education students and all students in Sacramento County were taken into consideration.
"It is the County Board's intent that all students — particularly those considered 'at risk' — are given opportunities to experience academic success and student learning and turn their lives around," Scribner said. "Dave Gordon's proven leadership in implementing programs that support early identification and intervention will enable the County Office of Education to work with its 16 local school districts and its own programs to extend its reach to students in need.
"Students' successes in life — regardless of their status or current challenges — are the priority of the Sacramento County Board of Education. We look forward to working with Dave Gordon to ensure that all students have access to programs and services that will contribute to their success," he said.
During Gordon's tenure in Elk Grove, student performance in the district's neediest schools rose dramatically.
Scribner added, "The County Board will also work with our new superintendent to enhance support to the county's local school districts and explore bold, collaborative program-improvement and cost-containment initiatives in such areas as teacher and administrator preparation, special education, provision of affordable employee health care, and preschool services."
Gordon has served as Elk Grove Unified School District Superintendent since 1995. He has a statewide and national reputation as an innovator in areas such as assessment, teacher education and special education. He currently serves on the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the "Nation's Report Card."
Prior to being appointed Elk Grove Unified School District superintendent, Gordon was the district's Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education (1991-1995) and worked for 17 years at the California Department of Education. From 1985 to 1991 he was California Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Mr. Gordon began his career as an elementary school teacher in South Bronx, New York, in 1968. He received his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University and his master of education and certificate of advanced study in educational administration from Harvard University. He and his wife Deborah reside in Sacramento. They have two grown children and three grandchildren.
SCOE plays a leadership role in the delivery of quality education to the students in Sacramento County. SCOE directly educates more than 30,000 children and adults, and provides support services to over 235,000 students in 16 school districts. In addition, SCOE is considered a leader of the Capital Service Region, a 10-county area consisting of Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba Counties. Many SCOE services are available to schools, districts and other county offices of education within the Capital Service Region.