Jovan Agee

In a sign of its growing presence in California, StudentsFirst, the nationwide education reform organization headed by Michelle Rhee, announced today the hiring of Jovan Agee as the organization’s California State Director.

Agee, who served eight years as the director of political and legislative affairs of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930, a homecare providers union, will be responsible for leading the organization’s California team in its efforts to enact StudentsFirst policy agendas in Sacramento.

In a post on the StudentsFirst blog, Agee wrote, “Some people may find it strange that I am working for StudentsFirst, given my professional background…it may appear that I have ‘switched sides.'”

He added: “I don’t see it that way. As State Director, I will make efforts to work with teachers’ unions, associations representing administrators and school boards. But to be clear: I firmly believe that, at times, what is best for the student may conflict with what ultimately is best for these organizations.”

Agee has also served since 2009 as the Political Committee Chair Northern California for the California Democratic Party’s African American Caucus.

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