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Tustin Unified School District, California

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Tustin Unified School District
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Orange County, California
District details
Superintendent: Mark Johnson
# of school board members: 5
Website: Link

Tustin Unified School District is a school district in California.

Click on the links below to learn more about the school district's...


Superintendent

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 		This information is updated as we become aware of changes. Please contact us with any updates.

Mark Johnson is the superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District. Johnson was appointed superintendent on January 1, 2022. Johnson's previous career experience includes working as an assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, and teacher in the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

[1]

Past superintendents

  • Gregory A. Franklin was the superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District from July 1, 2011 until December 31, 2021. Franklin's previous career experience includes working as a social studies teacher, football and track coach, assistant superintendent of educational services, and superintendent of the Los Alamitos Unified School District.[2]

School board

The Tustin Unified School District school board consists of five members elected by district to four-year terms.

Elections

See also: Tustin Unified School District, California, elections

Members of the Tustin Unified School District school board are elected to four-year terms. Two or three seats are up for election on a staggered basis every even-numbered year in November.

Three seats on the board were up for general election on November 5, 2024.


Ballotpedia covered school board elections in 367 school districts in 29 states in 2024. Those school districts had a total student enrollment of 12,203,404 students. Click here to read an analysis of those elections.


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Public participation in board meetings

The Tustin Unified School District school board maintains the following policy on public testimony during board meetings:[3]

“

Public Participation

Members of the public are encouraged to attend Board meetings and to address the Board concerning any item on the agenda or within the Board's jurisdiction. So as not to inhibit public participation, persons attending Board meetings shall not be requested to sign in, complete a questionnaire, or otherwise provide their name or other information as a condition of attending the meeting, except that if the meeting is conducted using remote public participation or with a Board member attending remotely pursuant to Government Code 54953, a member of the public desiring to provide comment through the use of a third party internet website or online platform may be required to register as required by the third party provider.

In order to conduct district business in an orderly and efficient manner, the Board requires that public presentations to the Board comply with the following procedures:

1. The Board shall give members of the public an opportunity to address the Board on any item of interest to the public that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board, either before or during the Board's consideration of the item. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.3)
2. At a time so designated on the agenda at a regular meeting, members of the public may bring before the Board matters that are not listed on the agenda. The Board shall take no action or discussion on any item not appearing on the posted agenda, except as authorized by law. (Education Code 35145.5; Government Code 54954.2)
3. Without taking action, Board members or district staff members may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by the public about items not appearing on the agenda. Additionally, on their own initiative or in response to questions posed by the public, Board members or staff members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a brief report on their own activities. (Government Code 54954.2)
Furthermore, the Board or a Board member may provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information, ask staff to report back to the Board at a subsequent meeting concerning any matter, or take action directing staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. (Government Code 54954.2)
4. The Board need not allow the public to speak on any item that has already been considered by a committee composed exclusively of Board members at a public meeting where the public had the opportunity to address the committee on that item. However, if the Board determines that the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the item, the Board shall provide an opportunity for the public to speak. (Government Code 54954.3)
5. A person wishing to be heard by the Board shall first be recognized by the president and shall then proceed to comment as briefly as the subject permits.
In general, individual speakers will be allowed three minutes to address the Board on each agenda or nonagenda item, and the Board will limit the total time for public input for all items 30 minutes. However, in exceptional circumstances when necessary to ensure full opportunity for public input, the Board president may, with Board consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker. Any such adjustment shall be done equitably so as to allow a diversity of viewpoints. The president may also ask members of the public with the same viewpoint to select a few individuals to address the Board on behalf of that viewpoint.
In order to ensure that non-English speakers receive the same opportunity to directly address the Board, any member of the public who utilizes a translator shall be provided at least twice the allotted time to address the Board, unless simultaneous translation equipment is used to allow the Board to hear the translated public testimony simultaneously. (Government Code 54954.3)
6. The Board president may rule on the appropriateness of a topic, subject to the following conditions:
a. If a topic would be suitably addressed at a later time, the Board president may indicate the time and place when it should be presented.
b. The Board shall not prohibit public criticism of its policies, procedures, programs, services, acts, or omissions. (Government Code 54954.3)
c. The Board shall not prohibit public criticism of district employees. However, whenever a member of the public initiates specific complaints or charges against an individual employee, the Board president shall inform the complainant of the appropriate complaint procedure.
7. The Board president shall not permit actual disruption of Board meetings. Actual disruption by an individual or group or any conduct or statements that threaten the safety of any person(s) at the meeting shall be grounds for the president to terminate the privilege of addressing the Board and remove the individual from the meeting.
The Board President or designee may remove an individual for actually disrupting the meeting. Prior to removal, the individual shall be warned that their behavior is disrupting the meeting and that failure to cease the disruptive behavior may result in removal. If, after being warned, the individual does not promptly cease the disruptive behavior, the Board president, or designee, may then remove the individual from the meeting. (Government Code 54957.95)
When an individual's behavior constitutes the use of force or a true threat of force, the individual shall be removed from a Board meeting without a warning. (Government Code 54957.95)
Disrupting means engaging in behavior during a Board meeting that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to, a failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by a legislative body pursuant to Section 54954.3 or any other law, or engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. (Government Code 54957.95)
True threat of force means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat. (Government Code 54957.95)
Additionally, the Board may order the room cleared if necessary. In this case, members of the media not participating in the disturbance shall be allowed to remain, and individuals not participating in such disturbances may be allowed to remain at the discretion of the Board. When the room is ordered cleared due to a disturbance, further Board proceedings shall concern only matters appearing on the agenda. (Government Code 54957.9)
When disruptive conduct occurs, the Board may decide to recess the meeting to help restore order, or if removing the disruptive individual(s) or clearing the room is infeasible, move the meeting to another location. The Board may direct the Superintendent or designee to contact local law enforcement as necessary.

Recording by the Public

Members of the public may record an open Board meeting using an audio or video recorder, still or motion picture camera, cell phone, or other device, provided that the noise, illumination, or obstruction of view does not persistently disrupt the meeting. The Superintendent or designee may designate locations from which members of the public may make such recordings without causing a distraction.

If the Board finds that noise, illumination, or obstruction of view related to these activities would persistently disrupt the proceedings, these activities shall be discontinued or restricted as determined by the Board. (Government Code 54953.5, 54953.6)[4]

”

District map

School district map

Budget

The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[5]

Revenue, 2020-2021
SOURCE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Federal: $29,486,000 $1,295 9%
Local: $192,325,000 $8,450 56%
State: $123,043,000 $5,406 36%
Total: $344,854,000 $15,151
Expenditures, 2020-2021
TYPE AMOUNT AMOUNT PER STUDENT PERCENT
Total Expenditures: $305,473,000 $13,420
Total Current Expenditures: $274,089,000 $12,042
Instructional Expenditures: $182,147,000 $8,002 60%
Student and Staff Support: $30,372,000 $1,334 10%
Administration: $29,578,000 $1,299 10%
Operations, Food Service, Other: $31,992,000 $1,405 10%
Total Capital Outlay: $12,656,000 $556
Construction: $12,283,000 $539
Total Non El-Sec Education & Other: $3,184,000 $139
Interest on Debt: $12,880,000 $565


Teacher salaries

The following salary information was pulled from the district's teacher salary schedule. A salary schedule is a list of expected compensations based on variables such as position, years employed, and education level. It may not reflect actual teacher salaries in the district.

Year Minimum Maximum
2024-2025[6] $63,595 $136,551
2023-2024[7] $62,034 $133,201
2021-2022[8] $53,195 $114,221

Academic performance

Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. Although the data below was published by the U.S. Department of Education, proficiency measurements are established by the states. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements.[9]

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 46 75 21-39 24 PS 55-59 58
2018-2019 52 84 30-34 29 40-59 72 65
2017-2018 52 84 30-34 29 40-59 74 66
2016-2017 52 84 25-29 29 40-59 71 66
2015-2016 52 82 30-34 29 40-49 71 67
2014-2015 49 81 35-39 26 40-59 65-69 64
2013-2014 72 89 40-49 57 >=50 >=90 86
2012-2013 73 92 60-64 57 60-69 85-89 84
2011-2012 73 92 60-64 57 60-69 80-84 84
2010-2011 70 91 50-54 53 50-59 80-84 82

The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2020-2021 65 85 40-59 50 PS 70-74 76
2018-2019 61 85 40-44 44 40-59 74 72
2017-2018 62 85 45-49 44 40-59 79 74
2016-2017 62 86 45-49 43 40-59 77 75
2015-2016 62 85 45-49 44 50-59 76 76
2014-2015 57 82 40-44 37 60-79 70-74 71
2013-2014 72 87 50-59 55 >=50 >=90 89
2012-2013 71 87 60-64 55 60-69 80-84 85
2011-2012 72 89 65-69 55 70-79 80-84 86
2010-2011 71 89 55-59 53 70-79 80-84 86

The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:

School year All (%) Asian/Pacific Islander (%) Black (%) Hispanic (%) Native American (%) Two or More Races (%) White (%)
2019-2020 95 97 >=90 94 >=50 >=90 94
2018-2019 95 96 80-89 94 PS >=90 96
2017-2018 95 98 >=80 93 PS >=90 95
2016-2017 96 97 >=90 94 >=50 >=90 97
2015-2016 98 >=99 >=90 97 >=50 >=80 98
2014-2015 98 >=99 >=90 97 PS >=90 >=99
2013-2014 97 98 >=90 95 PS >=80 >=99
2012-2013 97 97 >=90 95 PS >=50 >=99
2011-2012 95 97 80-89 93 PS >=80 98
2010-2011 96 >=95 >=90 94 >=50 >=50 97


Students

Year Enrollment Year-to-year change (%)
2022-2023 21,830 -1.4
2021-2022 22,140 -2.8
2020-2021 22,761 -3.3
2019-2020 23,521 -1.1
2018-2019 23,768 -1.0
2017-2018 24,015 -0.5
2016-2017 24,130 0.2
2015-2016 24,079 0.1
2014-2015 24,059 0.5
2013-2014 23,949 0.7
2012-2013 23,771 1.1
2011-2012 23,507 1.8
2010-2011 23,093 2.8
2009-2010 22,454 3.4
2008-2009 21,682 3.6
2007-2008 20,909 1.9
2006-2007 20,515 1.6
2005-2006 20,195 2.3
2004-2005 19,736 4.0
2003-2004 18,950 2.3
2002-2003 18,518 3.5
2001-2002 17,863 5.0
2000-2001 16,963 4.5
1999-2000 16,192 0.0
Racial Demographics, 2022-2023
RACE Tustin Unified School District (%) California K-12 STUDENTS (%)
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.2 0.0
Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander 24.5 0.0
Black 1.6 0.0
Hispanic 46.1 0.0
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.3 0.0
Two or More Races 6.5 0.0
White 20.7 0.0

Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Staff

As of the 2022-2023 school year, Tustin Unified School District had 831.59 full-time classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 26.25.

Teachers, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF TEACHERS
Prekindergarten: 0.00
Kindergarten: 65.06
Elementary: 468.96
Secondary: 297.57
Total: 831.59

Tustin Unified School District employed 8.00 district administrators and 48.00 school administrators as of the 2022-2023 school year.

Administrators, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS
District Administrators: 8.00
District Administrative Support: 57.89
School Administrators: 48.00
School Administrative Support: 84.28
Other staff, 2022-2023 school year
TYPE NUMBER OF OTHER STAFF
Instructional Aides: 327.94
Instruc. Coordinators & Supervisors: 13.00
Total Guidance Counselors: 47.00
Elementary Guidance Counselors: 22.00
Secondary Guidance Counselors: 20.00
Librarians/Media Specialists: 0.00
Library/Media Support: 0.00
Student Support Services: 90.28
Other Support Services: 534.63


Schools

The Tustin Unified School District operates 28 schools. They are listed below in alphabetical order.
List of schools
SCHOOL NAMENUMBER OF STUDENTSGRADES
Arnold O. Beckman High2,7989-12
Arroyo Elementary539KG-5
Barbara Benson Elementary327KG-5
Benjamin F. Beswick Elementary396KG-5
C. E. Utt Middle6106-8
Columbus Tustin Middle6096-8
Foothill High2,2769-12
Guin Foss Elementary396KG-5
Helen Estock Elementary454KG-5
Heritage Elementary507KG-5
Hewes Middle8696-8
Hicks Canyon Elementary865KG-5
Hillview High (Continuation)2039-12
Ladera Elementary307KG-5
Legacy Magnet Academy8066-12
Loma Vista Elementary473KG-5
Myford Elementary488KG-5
Orchard Hills1,373KG-8
Peters Canyon Elementary471KG-5
Pioneer Middle8816-8
Red Hill Elementary417KG-5
Robert Heideman Elementary504KG-5
Sycamore Magnet Academy1,211KG-8
Tustin Connect303KG-12
Tustin High1,9909-12
Tustin Memorial Elementary587KG-5
Tustin Ranch Elementary563KG-5
W. R. Nelson Elementary471KG-5

Noteworthy events

2021: Recall effort against three school board members fails to submit signatures

See also: Tustin Unified School District recall, California (2021)

An effort to recall three of the five members of the Tustin Unified School District Board of Education in California did not go to a vote. Recall supporters did not file petitions by the deadline on January 25, 2022.[10]

The recall effort began in August 2021. Trustee Area 1 representative Allyson Damikolas, Trustee Area 3 representative Lynn Davis, and Trustee Area 4 representative Jonathan Stone were named in the petitions.[11]

Recall supporters listed teaching critical race theory (CRT), advocating for explicit sex education, accepting campaign donations from the teacher's union, declining student test scores, and promoting violence through social media accounts as the reasons for the recall efforts.[12] District spokesman Matthew Jennings said the district had an ethnic studies curriculum but that it did not include critical race theory.[13]

The Republican Party of Orange County voted unanimously to pass a resolution in favor of the recall effort in September 2021.[14]

Both Damikolas and Stone were first elected to the board in the general election on November 3, 2020. Damikolas received 49% of the vote, defeating incumbent Tammie Bullard and one other candidate. Stone was elected automatically after the general election was canceled due to lack of opposition. Davis began serving on the board in 2002. He won re-election automatically after the general election scheduled for November 6, 2018, was canceled due to lack of opposition.

Contact information

Tustin Unified School District seal.jpg

Tustin Unified School District
300 South C Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 714-730-7301


About school boards

Education legislation in California

Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.

See also

California School Board Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ OCDE Newsroom, "Tustin Unified names new superintendent," November 1, 2021
  2. ↑ Tustin Unified School District, "Superintendent's Biography," accessed October 13, 2019
  3. ↑ Tustin Unified School District, "Bylaws of the Board of Education: Meeting Conduct - BP 9323," accessed April 24, 2025
  4. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
  6. ↑ Tustin Unified School District, "2024-25 Teacher Salary Schedule," accessed April 24, 2025
  7. ↑ Tustin Unified School District, "2023-24: Teacher Salary Schedule," accessed February 6, 2024
  8. ↑ Tustin Unified School District, "2021-22: Teacher Salary Schedule," accessed May 24, 2021
  9. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC: EDFacts, "State Assessments in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics- School Year 2018-19 EDFacts Data Documentation," accessed February 25, 2021
  10. ↑ Daily Pilot, "Latina school board trustee in Tustin puts failed recall bid behind her," February 24, 2022
  11. ↑ The Epoch Times, "Three Tustin Unified School Board Members Served Recall Notices," August 25, 2021
  12. ↑ Recall TUSD, "Home," accessed October 20, 2021
  13. ↑ Nation World News, "Three Tustin Unified School Board members served recall notices," August 25, 2021
  14. ↑ Voice of OC, "Placentia-Yorba Linda School Board May Ban Critical Race Theory After State Mandates Ethnic Studies," October 19, 2021
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