On Wednesday, Brentwood Union School District Superintendent Dana Eaton announced he is running for Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. This comes with 30-years in education and the last 13-years at the BUSD.
Although a formal announcement has not been made, his priorities according to his website include:
- Advance early literacy and early learning
- Ensure safe and supportive schools
- Promote fiscal responsibility and accountability
- Support student mental health
- Ensure the success of every child
- Recruit, develop, and retain excellent educators
- Prepare students for college, career and life
- Empower families and student voice
Lynn Mackey, the current Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, who won election in June 2022 after running unopposed, has endorsed Eaton.
“Dana is a highly experienced, well-respected superintendent here in Contra Costa County. He is deeply committed to public education, understands the role of the County Office, and brings steady, student-centered leadership,” said Mackey.
UPDATE (Official Release)
DANA EATON ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Brentwood Union School District Superintendent will bring a student-centered approach to managing county schools.
BRENTWOOD – Today, Dana Eaton announced his candidacy for Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. This is an open seat.
“Students and learning are at the center of my work as superintendent of schools for the Brentwood Union School District and in my previous roles as a teacher and principal,” said Eaton. “I have consistently championed early literacy, student mental health, supporting the whole child, and school safety as foundational priorities, and will continue to do so as Contra Costa Superintendent of Schools.”
Dr. Eaton is serving his 13th year as superintendent of schools for the Brentwood Union School District and his 17th year as a superintendent overall. He has a nearly 30-year career in education including as a teacher and principal. Eaton currently serves on the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team State Governing Board, the state’s school finance oversight organization; the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Superintendent Advisory Panel, the state’s support provider to school districts in need of academic assistance; and, is state president of the ACSA Superintendency Council, where he advocates on behalf of students, teachers, and educational leaders at the state and federal level. “This experience has prepared me to help districts maintain sound fiscal practices and improve their Local Contral and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) to provide outstanding educational opportunities to every student,” said Eaton.
Current Contra Costa Superintendent of Schools, Lynn Mackey, is retiring and will not run for re-election. She has endorsed Eaton, stating “Dana is a highly experienced, well-respected superintendent here in Contra Costa County. He is deeply committed to public education, understands the role of the County Office, and brings steady, student-centered leadership.”
In recognition of Eaton’s leadership, he was named ACSA Superintendent of the Year for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in both 2016 and 2023. He was named Brentwood Citizen of the Year in 2019 by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
“As Superintendent, I will work to attract and support high-quality teachers and prioritize student success and learning whether in general education, special education, or alternative settings,” said Eaton.
Eaton comes from a long line of educators. His grandparents, mother, sister, and wife all served their communities as teachers. He lives in Brentwood with his family.
The primary election is in June. If no candidate receives 50% plus one of the vote, there will be a runoff election in November between the top two vote-getters.
For more information visit www.eatonforschools.com.
About:
Dr. Dana Eaton is in his 17th year as a school district superintendent. He is the current superintendent of schools for the Brentwood Union School District, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to that, he served as the superintendent for the Jefferson School District. With a nearly 30-year career in education, Dana has held a wide range of roles, including teacher, mentor teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, and superintendent.
A graduate of Albany High School, Dana began his higher education at Contra Costa Community College before earning his bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University, a teaching credential, administrative credential and master’s degree from Saint Mary’s College, and a doctorate from the University of La Verne. Dana has served as an adjunct professor at both California State East Bay and California State Stanislaus, has participated on dissertation committees for the University of La Verne, and currently serves as a leadership coach through UC Berkeley.
Dana is the current ACSA Superintendency Council President for the state of California. He is a member of the Superintendent Advisory Panel for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), the state’s support provider to districts in need of academic assistance . He serves as a state Governing Board Member for the Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team (FCMAT), the state’s school finance oversight organization. He is past president of the California City Superintendent’s Association, past chair of the California State Superintendent Symposium Planning Committee. Dana is a past president of the Rotary Club of Brentwood and is co-president of the Brentwood Regional Community Chest.
In recognition of his leadership, Dana was named ACSA Superintendent of the Year for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in both 2016 and 2023. In 2023, he also received the Celebrate Literacy Award from the Contra Costa Reading Association. He was honored with a 125th Anniversary Alumni Award from the University of La Verne and was named Brentwood Citizen of the Year in 2019 by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.
Dana comes from a long line of educators. His grandparents, mother, sister, and wife all served their communities as teachers. He lives in Brentwood with his wife, Renee, and they are proud parents of two college students. Their daughter, Emily, is attending law school at UC Davis, and their son, James, is studying communications at California State University, Sacramento.
For more information: Dana Eaton – Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
Related Stories:
- Dec 2025 – Brentwood: Isaac R. Montañez School Receives Architectural Award
- March 2023 – Dana Eaton Named ACSA Region 6 Superintendent of the Year
