Ian Hanigan serves as chief communications officer for the Orange County Department of Education, overseeing the Communications and Media Services unit. Along with producing stories and videos for the OCDE Newsroom, this team facilitates copywriting, video production, media relations, graphic design, web design and event support for OCDE.
Prior to joining the department in 2015, Ian spent eight years as public information officer for the 30,000-student Irvine Unified School District. Before that, he was a local journalist, writing for the Long Beach Press-Telegram from 1999 to 2003 and the South Bay’s Daily Breeze newspaper from 2003 to 2006. His beats included education, city government, business and aerospace.
OCDE expects to meet all financial obligations for the next three years, even as statewide economic pressures and declining enrollment continue to shape long-term budget planning.
OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative launches today, inviting districts to apply for up to $525,000 to bring innovative, student-centered ideas to life. Applications are open through Jan. 30, 2026.
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joined students at Thomas Edison Elementary to launch a new outdoor STEM partnership between his Skyhook Foundation and OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors. The celebration included 3,000 donated Adidas shoes and backpacks for Anaheim students.
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean was named the 2025 Community Pillar of Influence for Education, joining four leaders recognized for strengthening Orange County. He was also recently honored by the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the California Association of Asian and Pasifika Leaders in Education.
An independent foundation has launched to help expand educational opportunities for students across the county. The Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation will be led by David Blair, who brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience.
The state has released the 2025 California School Dashboard and new data showing steady gains in graduation rates and attendance. The dashboard uses color-coded visuals to help families and educators track progress and identify areas for improvement at the school and district levels.
OCDE and the Butte County Office of Education are partnering through California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to help Los Angeles County schools recover from the Eaton and Palisades fires.