Reineke Votes to Confirm the First Department of Education and Workforce Director

COLUMBUS—State Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) voted with the majority of the Ohio Senate today to confirm Stephen D. Dackin as the first director of the newly established Department of Education and Workforce.

The operating budget passed in June turned the Department of Education into the Department of Education and Workforce in order to enact much-needed reforms. Those reforms included realigning the department under the authority of the Executive Branch of government with significant new oversight by the Ohio General Assembly.

"This is particularly gratifying to me as the sponsor of the legislation that championed these reforms," said Senator Reineke. "The current structure is failing our kids and not offering enough career-tech opportunities. This will help connect so many more students to their purpose by providing a variety of paths to success." 

"The Department has been without leadership for over a year and a half," the Senator continued. "A leader is necessary, and Dackin understands the intent of this new law: helping students find their purpose and meeting the needs of Ohio's workforce. Complacency is not acceptable moving forward."

Dackin's experience includes serving local school districts as a teacher in Elida Local Schools and Upper Scioto Valley Local Schools; a principal at Elida High School and Reynoldsburg High School; the superintendent at Reynoldsburg City Schools; and an administrator at Westerville City Schools and the Ohio Department of Education.