State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who led the effort to require California children to turn five by Sept. 1 before they could enroll in kindergarten, Thursday (Dec. 2) was named the top legislator of 2010 by a statewide association of school officials.

The California School Boards Association named the former Palo Alto mayor and school board member its "Outstanding Legislator of the Year" for his efforts to support funding for K-12 education and for his legislative efforts in the educational realm.

Jo Lucey, president of the Cupertino Union School District Board, said in a statement that Simitian "understands the challenges our state's school face at the local level" and "knows what it takes to get the job done."

Lorraine Rumley, vice president of the Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees, agreed.

"He 'gets it,' and that understanding is clearly reflected in his work in Sacramento," Rumley said in a statement.

Simitian is scheduled to receive his award today (Friday) at CSBA's annual convention in San Francisco.