John F. Dean, who served as Orange County superintendent of schools from 1991 through 2001 and led OCDE through the county’s 1994 bankruptcy, died last week at the age of 89.
During his decade-spanning tenure as county superintendent, Dr. Dean was admired for his work in creating safe school environments with high achievement and low dropout rates. He advocated for funding to serve special education programs and supported the Alternative, Community, and Correctional Schools and Services program to include incarcerated students and students experiencing homelessness. [...]