SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the appointment of Dr. William J. Ellerbee, Jr. as the California Department of Education's (CDE) Deputy Superintendent overseeing the newly created School and District Operations Branch.

Ellerbee comes to the department from the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD), where he has been Associate Superintendent since 1997. Prior to that, he had served as a SCUSD Assistant Superintendent beginning in 1990.

"Bill has amassed decades of experience in all aspects of district operations and brings with him a vast, rich knowledge of schools' unique needs," O'Connell said. "His contributions will add immeasurably to how we deliver vital services to the field."

As Deputy Superintendent of the School and District Operations Branch, Dr. Ellerbee will be responsible for four CDE divisions: Charter Schools, Nutrition Services, School Facilities Planning, and State Special Schools. The branch is the Department's fourth. The other three are Assessment and Accountability, Curriculum and Instruction, and Finance and Technology.

"I am honored that Superintendent O'Connell has selected me for this position. I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges ahead," said Dr. Ellerbee, who will join the Department on October 1. "I am excited about being able to use my experience to help improve education in our great state."

Dr. Ellerbee also has served as principal of Jedediah Smith Academy of Literary Arts Through Technology in SCUSD from 1984 to 1990, a teacher at California Middle School in SCUSD from 1982 to 1984, and a SCUSD elementary school teacher from 1975 to 1982. Previously, he taught reading and English as a Second Language courses at the SCUSD Fremont School for Adults.

He has been a member of numerous organizations, committees, and task forces. His current affiliations include: state board member of the Association of California School Administrators, advisory board member of the Capital Sierra Leadership Center, and foundation trustee of the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

Dr. Ellerbee received his bachelor's and master's degree from California State University, Sacramento, and his doctorate of education with a focus on Educational Administration at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.