Former state Rep. Randy Dorn, once principal of Eatonville High School and now head of the second-largest public school workers’ union, announced Thursday he is running for the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Dorn becomes the third candidate to enter the race. Incumbent Terry Bergeson is seeking a fourth four-year term and Richland School Superintendent Richard Semler, former superintendent at Vashon Island, announced his campaign last week

Dorn, 54, actually would take a pay cut if he were to win. He is paid $130,000 as executive director of the 26,000-member Public School Employees of Washington, a job he has had the past eight years. The salary for state schools chief will go up to $121,618 in September.

He claims Bergeson has lost the respect of the education community and the Legislature, and that he is the only one of the three candidates who has the education background and political savvy to improve the state’s school system.

“First, you have to reestablish respect for the office,” Dorn said. “People do not believe Terry is listening. Then, you have to change the WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) to make if more accountable.”

Dorn was chairman of the House Education Committee in 1993, the year the Legislature passed House Bill 1209, the Education Reform bill that later led to adoption of the WASL exams as a requirement for graduation. The state has since backed off that requirement.

I'll have more in Friday's print edition. Dorn and I had been playing telephone tag since last week and we finally connected this morning. The PSE Web site had his campaign announcement on Monday, along with an endorsement from the union's executive board.

Here's his official news release:

[More:]

Randy Dorn For SPI. Leadership for a Change
May 1, 2008 Contact: Randy Dorn
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 253-307-4743
Dorn Announces Candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction

“Bergeson has Failed, it’s Time for New Leadership,” Says former legislator and educator

Citing 12 years of Terry Bergeson’s failed leadership, Randy Dorn, former Chairman of the House Education Committee, and current Executive Director of Public School Employees of Washington, announced today he is running for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Terry Bergeson has had 12 years to bring reform and change to our schools. Where are we now?” said Dorn. “Still studying how to fund basic education. Still arguing about how to implement education reform. School districts are suing the state over inadequate funding, and the WASL is so unpopular this year a teacher refused to administer the test! The public and the legislature have lost confidence in the WASL, and in Terry Bergeson. It’s time for a change.”

Dorn said that he will focus on two issues as superintendent: improving school funding, and replacing the WASL with a better, fairer way to ensure all students are learning.

“For years we have been studying and arguing about school funding,” said Dorn. As SPI, I will be a forceful advocate, reminding the legislature it is their paramount duty to fully fund a basic education rather than relying on local levies.”

In regards to the WASL, Dorn pointed out that he was one of the legislative leaders who passed education reform legislation in 1993. “I passionately support high standards and accountability, and I know we need to test students to ensure they are learning,” said Dorn. “But the WASL is a deeply flawed test the public has lost faith in that must be replaced.”

“Drawing on successful tests developed in other states, in my first year in office I will work with the state school board to replace the WASL with a testing system that is more fair, more understandable, and more concise so testing doesn’t dominate curriculum and the school calendar,” said Dorn. “I will then work with the legislature to design a new graduation requirement that includes testing, but also includes grades, attendance, and other factors.”

Dorn said his blend of educational and political experience makes him well qualified to serve as state superintendent. “The Superintendent of Public Instruction needs to be an experienced educator, and a political leader. I know the classroom, and I know how to get things done in Olympia.”

Dorn has been an elementary and middle school teacher, followed by three years as an elementary school principal, and seven years as a high school principal. In addition, Dorn served seven years in the House of Representatives, and was Chairman of the House Education Committee. He has worked as a consultant for the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Community College Board while serving as an administrator in the Pierce County Tech Prep Consortium. Today, he is the Executive Director of Public School Employees of Washington, the state’s second largest educational employee’s organization.

Randy Dorn, 54, and his wife – a public school librarian – live in Eatonville. They are the parents of three grown children, one of whom is a public school teacher, while another is studying to be a teacher.

Here's something to consider: The Washington Education Association (teachers union) with its 81,000 members has endorsed Semler and Dorn's union has endorsed him.

That means this summer, there's going to be a lot of school workers putting up competing campaign signs for the two of them.

Filing week is the first week of June. The primary election is Aug. 19.