Dr. Gregory Franklin has officially started his new role as superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District. His first day was July 1. “I look forward to working with the school board; meeting the staff, students and parents; getting to know the community; and continuing the history of educational excellence in the Tustin school district,” Franklin said. Franklin takes over for Supt. Richard Bray, who retired in June after serving 43 years in public education – the past five years as superintendent of the Tustin school district. He will oversee a $167 million budget, 29 schools and over 23,000 students.

“Dr. Franklin comes to us with excellent credentials,” Board President Lynn Davis said. “His innovative programs, community leadership, experience in facilities and technology, and strong background in education will be an asset to the district.”

Franklin has worked in public education for the past 25 years. Most recently, he served as superintendent of the Los Alamitos Unified School District for the past four years. Prior to that, he was assistant superintendent of educational services for the Glendale Unified School District for three years.

Additionally, Franklin has served as assistant superintendent of human resources in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, principal of Fullerton Union High School and Bonita High School in the Bonita Unified School District and assistant principal at Saddleback High School in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

He began his career as a social studies teacher and football and track coach at Saddleback High School. He took a year off to teach English as a Second Language to Japanese professionals in Tokyo, Japan.

Franklin has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in education from Chapman University and a doctorate in educational leadership from USC.

Among his accomplishments, Franklin has received Golden Bell Awards by the California School Boards Association for various curriculum programs, and the Junior Achievement of Southern California’s Teacher of the Year Award for his work with students and applied economics courses.

In addition, he is a member of the Association of California School Administrators, State Superintendents Council, Southern California Superintendents and California Association of Latino Superintendents.

Franklin lives in Brea with his wife of 29 years, Debbie, and their three daughters.