Copyright© 2000 by School Services of California, Inc.
John Mockler Named Interim Secretary for
Education
Just months after he was personally tapped by Governor Gray Davis to lead the State Board of Education as Executive Director, longtime Capitol education expert John Mockler has been given another portfolio at the Governor's request.
On July 21, Governor Davis announced Mockler's appointment as Interim Secretary of the Office of Education, replacing Sue Burr, who herself replaced former Secretary Gary Hart. Burr is leaving her post to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the Elk Grove School District.
"With a lifelong commitment to education, John Mockler brings invaluable experience to further my Administration's efforts to improve California schools," said Governor Davis. "As interim secretary, he will provide the knowledge and continuity needed to move our schools forward in the new millenium."
It is particularly interesting to note that the Governor's press release does not state that Mockler will be asked to leave his State Board position-leaving open the possibility of an historical consolidation of Administrative power in the education arena.
With this appointment, Mockler, 58, lengthens his already impressive resumJ, which includes various legislative staff positions, including Senior Consultant to the Assembly Education Committee and Primary Principal Consultant to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. He was Senior Advisor to then-Speaker of the Assembly Willie Brown from 1983 to 1984, specializing in tax and education, before leaving government service for 15 years to run his own education consulting and lobbying firm.
In his brief tenure as Executive Director at the State Board of Education, that organization successfully has tackled numerous high profile and controversial issues-many centered around assessment. During this time, numerous long-time observers of the Board remarked-without surprise-upon his exceptional effectiveness as executive director.
The Secretary's role will offer different challenges, and it will not be surprisingly if he tackles them with equal success.
--Arnold Bray