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.
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.
OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative launches next month, but districts can sign up now to receive updates on key dates, announcements and opportunities tied to the new program.
CalFresh benefits for November may be delayed because of the federal government shutdown. Officials say existing EBT balances remain usable and school meals will continue without interruption.
San Clemente High and Hoag have teamed up to open a newly renovated athletic training room designed to support the health, recovery and performance of student-athletes.
With the federal Blue Ribbon program discontinued, California has named its own 2025 nominees to honor schools for exceptional academic performance and progress in closing achievement gaps. Four Orange County campuses made the list.