Honolulu complex area Superintendent Stephen Schatz has been tapped to head the Department of Education’s Office of Strategic Reform.

Schatz will serve as an assistant superintendent, overseeing school improvement efforts and management and implementation of the state’s $75 million Race to the Top grant.

Schatz was appointed area superintendent of the Kaimuki, Roosevelt and McKinley complexes in 2009.

From 1994 to 2002, Schatz served inner-city youth in California’s Compton Unified School District as a teacher, vice principal and principal in various elementary schools.

He joined Hawaii’s public school system at the beginning of the 2002-03 school year as vice principal at Waialua High and Intermediate.

In 2004, Schatz worked at Pohakea Elementary. During his tenure, students posted gains in reading and math scores for four straight years.

Schatz is the twin brother of Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz.