The Tustin Unified School District will soon have a new superintendent.
Dr. Mark Johnson, who currently serves as a local superintendent in the Fountain Valley School District, has been selected to lead the district, pending Board of Trustee approval at the Nov. 15 meeting. He succeeds Dr. Greg Franklin who will retire on Dec. 31 after serving as the district’s superintendent for the past 10 years.
“I am both humbled and honored to be named as the new superintendent of Tustin Unified,” said Johnson. “I strongly believe in building community through successful collaboration, dedication, enthusiasm, innovation, and leading with heart and integrity. I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Board of Education, teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, students, and community members and working together to continue Tustin’s rich history of excellence.”
With more than 25 years of experience in public education, Johnson began his career as a middle school teacher and went on to serve various roles in the Los Alamitos Unified School District including assistant principal, continuation high school principal and assistant superintendent of educational services.
District officials say Johnson is a visionary leader with a strong focus on student achievement and communication.
“His commitment to life-long learning and public service has a proven track record of results, integrity, and excellence, and his experience will guide the current and foreseeable future needs of TUSD,” the district said in a news release issued Nov. 1.
Along with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and English from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Johnson also possesses a master’s degree in educational administration from National University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Southern California.
He is expected to begin his new role in January 2022.