Copyright© 2000 by School Services of California, Inc.
New Staff Joins Joint Committee
for Master Plan for Education
The Joint Committee to Develop a Master Plan for Education-Kindergarten through the University of California-continues as a strong player in the State Capitol's response to education need. Under the joint chairmanship of Senator Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) and Assembly Member Kerry Mazzoni (D-Novato), the Joint Committee is charged with developing a new education master plan for California's next generation of students and building on the Master Plan for Higher Education. It is anticipated that the Master Plan will serve as a long-term template to guide the framework for the Legislature to use for governance, resources, policy development, and accountability in public education.
Recent developments include the appointment of a very strong staff to serve the Joint Committee. Mike Ricketts, formerly Deputy Secretary for Education, has been appointed as head of the finance working group of the Joint Committee. It is anticipated that he will join the staff in November and, uniquely, his efforts are funded by a separate contribution from the Getty Trust, which will financially support the efforts of the finance working group through the end of July 2002.
Also recently appointed as a member of the Master Plan staff is John Gilroy, who has been a long-time assistant in the California Department of Education and, most recently, Assistant Executive Secretary for the State Board of Education. John is well known to California school districts for his unsurpassed knowledge of California's attendance laws. His education and Capitol knowledge will be of exceptional help to the Joint Committee.
John and Mike join Stephan Blake, who has been a member of the staff from the beginning, and has been appointed by the State Senate as staff director. Stephan brings with him experience as Capitol advocate for California State Colleges and Universities and for the California School Boards Association.
School Services if very impressed with the quality and focus of the Master
Plan staff, and the resource commitment by the State Senate and Assembly.
--Ken Hall