Donald McKinley, 77; Former Head Deputy State Schools Chief
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Donald R. McKinley, 77, a former chief deputy superintendent of public schools in California, died May 7 at his home in Sacramento of renal cell cancer.
Born in Cottonwood, Idaho, McKinley served in the Navy during World War II and later earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Idaho. He was recalled to military duty during the Korean War.
He moved to California in the early 1950s, first working as a band teacher at a school in El Cajon. In the late 1950s, he took a job as principal of the high school in Davis, Calif., which he held for eight years before becoming superintendent of what is now the Placer Union High School District.
He became chief deputy to state schools Supt. Wilson Riles in 1973 and held that post for 10 years.
In 1980, McKinley was one of five finalists for Los Angeles County superintendent of schools.
After leaving the state post, he worked as an education advisor in private enterprise.
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