Two longtime educators have thrown their hats in the ring to face off for the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools position -- incumbent Dave Long and challenger Jim Rothblatt.

The candidates filed their election paperwork with county officials by the March 10 deadline, and are the only ones slated to run for the position on the June 6 ballot, according to a preliminary list released Sunday by the county Registrar of Voters office.

Both candidates said Monday one reason they are seeking the position is to enhance and expand educational opportunities provided to those attending public schools in the county.

"I am passionate about the education of the young people of Riverside County," said Long, 66, who has been the county superintendent since 1999. "That's who I am, what I am. I want to continue to be associated with the good things going on in Riverside County in a leadership role."

Rothblatt, 63, a counselor at John Glenn Middle School of International Studies in Indio, said he believes he can lead the Riverside County Office of Education to new heights.

"If you ask people, even people who have worked in education their whole lives, why the county superintendent is important, you'll find people who are hard-pressed to give an answer," Rothblatt said. "I plan to elevate that position, to illustrate it actually provides a service to the 23 districts."

The county office of education has oversight of the financial documents for each of the county's 23 school districts, and works to ensure their compliance with state laws, that they provide provide adequate facilities, maintain high test scores and improve low ones.

The county superintendent oversees a $380 million annual budget. The office's programs include special education efforts for disabled students, correctional teaching for at-risk pupils, vocational programs, and emotional, nutritional and literacy training.

"We have led the state in increased student achievement for the past seven years, and we have led the state of California in money received for facilities for seven straight years," Long said of his tenure. "Many of our programs are used as state and national models."

Prior to Long's election as county superintendent, he was superintendent of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District for seven years and of the Banning Unified School District for three years. He also has worked as an assistant superintendent, principal, teacher, athletic director and coach over his four decades in public education.

Rothblatt, a Vietnam veteran with about three decades of work experience in public education, has spent most of that time as a counselor at various schools. He also has extensive experience and training working with at-risk students. He worked for 2 1/2 years as a consultant and trainer with the county Office of Education.

"I am about empowering the people who do the work, and I don't think that's in place right now," Rothblatt said. "I'll bring the voice of the school sites and the districts to that office."

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.

LEARNING MORE

To learn more about the two candidates for the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools position in their own words, visit their Web sites:

• Dave Long -- www.electdavidlong.com

• Jim Rothblatt -- www.rothblatt2006.com