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O'Connell Names New Deputy Superintendent of Government Affairs and Charter Schools

December 18, 2009

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell on Tuesday announced the appointment of Lupita Cortez Alcalá as Deputy Superintendent of the Government Affairs and Charter Development Branch.

“As California continues to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, competes in the Race to the Top, and negotiates our own state’s ongoing economic crisis, it is reassuring to know that a person of Lupita’s leadership ability, experience, and knowledge will help guide efforts to improve public education,” O’Connell said.

In her new capacity, Alcalá is responsible for directing the Superintendent’s legislative and fiscal policy agenda, and overseeing the California Department of Education’s (CDE) charter schools division.  Alcalá is CDE’s lead representative and advocate for legislative and fiscal priorities before policy and budget committees.  She also works with representatives of legislative and executive offices and education stakeholders to address education policy issues.

Alcalá is a graduate of Harvard University’s School of Education, where she earned a master’s degree in Planning Administration and Social Policy.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.  Alcalá previously served for three years as CDE’s Director of Legislative Affairs.  Before joining CDE, Alcalá served as deputy legislative secretary to former Governor Gray Davis. 

EdBrief’s co-publisher and president of Governmental Solutions Group, LLC, Vernon Billy is a former colleague of Ms. Alcalá and praised her appointment.  “Lupita is very knowledgeable and fully understands the intricacies of the legislative process,” said Billy.  “Her experience working for former Governor Davis and the CDE over the last few years will serve Superintendent O’Connell and the department well,” explained Billy.  Alcalá replaces Andrea Ball, who has accepted a position as Executive Director of the California Academic Partnership Program, an intersegmental program that resides in the California State University Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach.

Source:   Californina Department of Education