Randy Dorn sworn in as state superintendent
January 19, 2009
By Staff
Randy Dorn was sworn in as the state’s 15th superintendent of public instruction Jan. 14.
He defeated 12-year incumbent Terry Bergeson in the November election.
“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 in a press release. “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.”
He will lead the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which is responsible for helping oversee the state’s 295 school districts and more than one million students.
A lifelong resident and educator in the state, Dorn has taught at the elementary and middle school levels and was both an elementary and a high school principal. He also served seven years in the state House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Education Committee.
In 1999, Dorn became the executive director of Public School Employees of Washington, the second largest educational employee’s organization in the state.
His new executive team includes two deputy superintendents — Alan Burke, who will oversee teaching and learning, student support and assessment, and Robert Harkins, who will guide communications and the agency’s relationship with community partners. Ken Kanikeberg will serve as chief of staff for the superintendent’s office.
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