ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Change Is In Order

After nearly a quarter of a century, it’s time for a change at the top in the County Department of Education. Following a close three-candidate election in June, John Dean, chairman of the department of education at Whittier College, deserves to win after forcing incumbent Robert Peterson into a runoff.

What we said last spring still applies: Times have changed, and the department should do more as a facilitator for the districts. Dean, who has broad educational experience, drive and imagination, is the candidate best equipped to meet the challenges ahead. The county department can and must do better in working with the 27 school districts.

Attention has been diverted from Peterson’s lack of leadership in part by the relative obscurity of his department. But what happens there matters; the superintendent draws an annual salary of $98,663 and is responsible for a $74-million budget and more than 1,000 employees.

Orange County is a much different place than it was when Peterson first took command, but his department hasn’t kept pace. In addition to providing educational services for handicapped children and juvenile offenders, it must do more to coordinate a host of important educational services needed in the 1990s: curriculum development, English as a second language and health concerns.

In other Orange County runoff elections, we support Michael R. Capizzi, the appointed incumbent district attorney. In the 2nd District, County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder is our choice.