Gov. Pete Wilson of California last week surprised lawmakers and education officials by nominating a nuclear scientist turned management expert to take over the nation’s largest state school system.
In announcing the nomination for state superintendent of public instruction, the Governor praised Sanford C. Sigoloff as a specialist in turning around troubled companies.
Aides noted that in making the unusual choice, Mr. Wilson was “continuing his efforts to bring an end to the education wars’'--a reference to his recent call for a consensus school-reform bill.
Mr. Sigoloff, 63, is the chairman and chief executive of a Los Angeles-based consulting firm that attempts to rescue flagging companies. An adjunct professor at the University of California at Los Angeles, he was inducted this year as a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy.
“Sandy has improved the management of some of the largest companies in America by tightening fiscal controls, improving worker-management relations, and above all, serving the customer,’' Governor Wilson said. “Now he has a new customer--the schoolchildren of California.’'
Mr. Sigoloff will have to be confirmed by both chambers of the Democratic-majority legislature. The Republican Governor’s previous nominee, Sen. Marian Bergeson, was rejected last spring after a partisan fight in the Assembly.
To ease political concerns over the nomination, Mr. Sigoloff said he would not run for a full four-year term when the current term expires next year.
Observers called the nomination good political theater, but were skeptical Mr. Sigoloff would win confirmation or offer significant change.--LONNIE HARP
