OSDE announces Larry Birney
new superintendent of accreditation, compliance
OKLAHOMA CITY
(Sept. 24, 2014) — Dr. Larry L. Birney has been named assistant state
superintendent for accreditation and compliance for the Oklahoma State
Department of Education. The new position will help OSDE’s accreditation
standards division ensure local schools are operating in compliance with state
laws.
Birney served as executive director of the Council on Law
Enforcement Education and Standards in Oklahoma from June 2008 until May 2011,
when he retired. He was a 35-year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department,
rising to the rank of acting deputy chief and later director of police human
resources.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi
said Birney brings a needed expertise in investigation.
“OSDE routinely receives a number of allegations and
complaints involving schools around the state, accusations that run the gamut
from mismanagement to privacy violations to potentially criminal matters,” she
said. “One need look no further than newspaper headlines and TV news broadcasts
to see the spectrum of situations that warrant professional, precise and
effective investigation. Larry Birney is uniquely qualified for this role,
combining significant experience in law enforcement and education.”
Birney holds a doctorate in educational leadership from
the University of Texas at San Antonio, a master’s degree in educational
administration from Texas A&M University at Kingsville and a bachelor’s
degree in criminal justice from Texas State University in San Marcos.
In addition, he is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation’s National Academy in Quantico, Va., and is a certified advanced
peace officer and instructor through the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement
Education and Training (CLEET).
Birney is the husband of Kim Richey, OSDE general
counsel. They reside in Ada.
“It has become clear that our accreditation standards
division would benefit from the skills of a professional investigator,” state
Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi said. “Adding someone with
experience in education and law enforcement to our team also adds a new well of
resources and investigative approaches. It’s an additional form of support for
that division.”
“Mr. Birney had previously applied to serve as a Regional
Accreditation Officer, which is when I became familiar with his impressive
background. He has decades of experience in fields that combine law
enforcement, education and human resource management, and he will be very
effective in his role here,” Barresi said.
His arrival to OSDE comes amid the departure of two
assistant superintendents.
Dr. Kerri White, OSDE’s assistant state superintendent of
educator effectiveness, will soon be joining the South Central Comprehensive Center (SC3) at the
University of Oklahoma. She will become technical assistance coordinator for
Arkansas.
Colleen Flory recently left the position of assistant
state superintendent for policy implementation. She is now manager of statewide
performance management in the Performance and Efficiency Division of the Office
of Management and Enterprise Services.
“I am so grateful for Keri and Colleen and their great
service to the Oklahoma State Department of Education and schoolchildren. I
wish them well on their new endeavors,” Barresi said.
|