Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction O'Connell Joins Top Education Consulting Firm

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack O'Connell, California's two-term superintendent of public instruction and a nationally recognized education leader, will join School Innovations & Advocacy as Chief Education Officer.

School Innovations & Advocacy (SI&A), a prominent professional services company which provides consulting, services and legislative advocacy for school districts, county offices of education and individual schools, has announced that highly-respected former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell will join the firm on April 6, 2011. As Chief Education Officer, he will oversee educational services and solutions and their delivery system to school agencies.

In announcing the company expansion nationwide and the hire of O'Connell, SI&A chief executive officer, Jeff Williams said, "Not only am I excited we've decided to expand our services to other states, I'm especially pleased that Jack O'Connell will direct our company's already well-established support for California schools and will be instrumental in expanding nationally. He is not only an educator of the highest regard in California, but also recognized throughout the U.S. for his tireless support of schools and learning," Williams said. "His values and the values of SI&A are completely complementary. His career has been dedicated to public education."

The former legislator and one-time high school teacher said, "I'm eager to join SI&A. I'm especially pleased to be part of a company that shares my dedication to making schools work."

"This is such a good fit for me," said O'Connell. "SI&A has a stellar reputation. I'm looking forward to continuing to assist schools at a time when districts are facing extreme budget difficulties. SI&A has created revenue solutions for schools and provides rock-solid information and advice."

Kevin Gordon, president of SI&A stated, "This is very exciting - it will further position School Innovations & Advocacy as the largest and most experienced team of education consultants and advocates on education policy, finance and operational solutions. The addition of O'Connell enhances the company's ability to address the many challenges facing schools."

"We approach the problems that schools face on many levels already, but with Jack on board, our team just got a lot stronger," said Gordon.

School Innovations & Advocacy serves an estimated 75 percent of California's students with one or more products annually, partners with schools to enhance revenues, improve student attendance, promote education leadership and fulfill federal and state obligations.

SOURCE School Innovations & Advocacy