Kitsap Education

SPI Randy Dorn

In a few hours, Randy Dorn, Washington’s superintendent for public instruction, will walk out of the jail in rural Buckley, Wash., after serving 24 hours for a drunk driving offense. Will the public allow him put this incident behind him? Or will it hamper his efforts to guide the state’s public schools through rough financial waters and a changing academic environment?

Dorn entered the jail Monday at 6 p.m. Monday. He pleaded guilty last week in Orting Municipal Court to drunk driving after an incident in the city a few weeks ago.  He was sentenced to 365 days in jail, with all but one suspended. He will also pay an $866 fine.

In statements over the past few weeks, Dorn has owned up to his mistake and talked about doing his time and moving on. Also, he’s discussed how his arrest could become a teachable moment for students and others in the state. Some folks have called for him to step down from SPI. Others have criticized Dorn for using SPI’s communications office to issue information and statements about his DUI because it’s a personal issue.

It’s been a slow news time with the Legislature dragging out budget negotiations, thus TV news stations have been camped out in SPI’s lobby and on Dorn’s doorstep. This is the kind of media crap that, as a long-time reporter, drives me around the bend. There is definitely a time and place for this hounding behavior on the part of reporters. I’ve engaged in it myself. HOWEVER, I don’t find this particular offense to be one of those times. If Dorn had been using state money inappropriately or engaging in behavior that directly affected the operation of Washington public schools I think the public and the media would have every right to  hound him and his staff.

OK, rant over … still I wonder if this incident will make it hard for Dorn to do his job? There’s no doubt it will affect him personally and perhaps in his relationships with other state leaders. Voters won’t get to weigh in for another three years.

Superintendent for Public Instruction Randy Dorn pleaded guilty today to a charge of drunk driving.

He appeared in Orting Municipal Court about an hour ago. Read about it here.

About 10 minutes ago, OSPI spokesman Nathan Olson emailed this statement to reporters:

“First, I want to apologize for my actions and the distraction they have caused.  I drank alcohol and got behind the wheel of a car.  That is a mistake, no matter how much you drink.  I apologize to my family, the students and the educators across our state. As part of this legal proceeding, I agreed to take an alcohol assessment.  The assessment confirmed what I already knew: alcohol is not a problem in my life.  Alcohol does not affect my ability to serve Washington’s citizens. Given this assessment, and the other facts in this case, my attorney believed we could have plead not guilty – but it is time for me to put this incident behind me and accept the consequences of my actions. I want to be clear that this incident has not affected my ability to do my job as state schools chief.  I will continue to work hard to move my agenda forward, especially as it relates to achieving real reform of education funding. Also, I will do what I can to earn back the public’s trust. I want to turn this experience from a negative into a positive.  For me, as a career educator, this is a teachable moment. I am going to continue to seek out opportunities to help young people learn from my mistake.  I owe that to the people of this great state.”

SPI Randy Dorn issued the statement below about 10 minutes ago.

“I understand the public wants to know more about my recent citation. I am not at liberty to discuss the legal aspects of this case, but I can now share more information.

First and foremost, I want to apologize for what happened last Saturday night. My wife, our sons and I attended the annual crab feed and dance at Swiss Sportsman Club Park in Bonney Lake. My family has long supported the club. As members, we stayed late to help clean up the hall. I drank beer during the event, but I thought I was capable of driving home. I now know that drinking any amount of alcohol before driving is an extremely poor choice.

Today, my attorney has asked the city of Orting to release all the documents regarding this case because the public has a right to see this information. I am pleased the court has moved my hearing date from Monday, April 6, to Friday, April 2, to begin to address this matter sooner.
This week, I have continued to do the job the people of this state elected me to do. This morning I attended an important meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire regarding our state’s application for the federal “Race to the Top” grant. Next week, I will take a long-planned vacation with my wife – a school librarian who will be on spring break.
Again, I want everyone to know how sorry I am for what happened on Saturday. I have caused hurt and embarrassment to my family and I have disappointed my supporters and my staff. I work hard every day for the school children of this state and it pains me deeply that I have not set a good example for them. I will work hard to earn back your trust and I pledge that I will never make this mistake again.”

Superintendent for Public Instruction Randy Dorn was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and speeding early Sunday morning. The Tacoma News-Tribune reported the incident this morning on its website.

Dorn released a statement on the incident as well:”On Saturday night, my wife and I and our family attended a community event where I drank beer with dinner. Later, while driving home, I was stopped and cited by local law enforcement. The public has a right to information regarding the conduct of elected officials. However, I hope people will understand and respect that this is a personal legal matter that at this time I am not at liberty to discuss. I look forward to the day when I will be able to discuss the details of this incident.”

Former state schools superintendent Terry Bergeson has a new role in school leadership, but this time it’s in California.

Read more here.

New Superintendent for Public Instruction Randy Dorn will meet with the Sun’s editorial board on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Sun will stream the meeting live on kitsapsun.com at that time. Tune in if you can. Or watch it later on. The video will be available. I do love the Internet.

Also, yours truly will get to sit in on the meeting, so I’m asking for readers to submit questions for Dorn. Maybe you have question about the reality of implementing the replacement for the WASL by next year (I know I do.) Or maybe you want to know how Dorn plans to help school districts deal with the inevitable budget cuts. Please post here and give me some juicy ones. Dorn seems to like a lively discussion.

Randy Dorn, the new superintendent for public instruction, spoke to legislators yesterday for the first time in his new role. Watch it for yourself here.