Grossmont school district selects
new superintendent

By Chuck Taylor
The Alpine Sun

     EL CAJON — Robert J. Collins was named superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District at a Special Meeting of the Governing Board on Sept. 26. The selection followed a comprehensive national search conducted by the California School Boards Association. Mr. Collins will begin full-time on Nov. 1.
     “Our Board is unanimous in our selection of Mr. Collins,” said GUHSD School Board President Priscilla Schreiber. “He is an exceptional educator with a passion for improving and enhancing educational opportunities for secondary students. We have confidence that he will be a collaborative and student centered leader who will help our schools and students succeed.”

New GUHSD Superintendent Robert J. Collins

     The three-year contract was approved by board members at the Wednesday evening meeting.
     Mr. Collins joins the Grossmont Union High School District after a 39-year career in the Los Angeles Unified School District. His most recent assignment has been as the Chief Instructional Officer for Secondary Schools.
     In this position, he has been responsible for curriculum, instruction and assessment for all the middle schools, high schools, and alternative school programs in the LAUSD.
     Collins began his career as social studies teacher and has held the positions of student council/leadership advisor, assistant principal, principal for 10 years, assistant superintendent and local district superintendent. In 1989 Mr. Collins was recognized as the Principal of the Year in the State of California.
     At the State level, he was also instrumental in initiating legislation to provide for advanced placement test funding and SAT prep for disadvantaged students. He has been a leading advocate for character education, implementing the largest program of its kind in the nation in every school in District One and now in secondary schools in LAUSD.
     From 1999 to 2000, Collins was assigned as Assistant Superintendent for Staff Relations. He was responsible for all labor organization relations including United Teachers Los Angeles. He was also the Chief Negotiator for all labor contracts for eleven unions.
     Under his leadership, labor negotiations resulted in district-wide reforms including the maximizing of instructional time, addressing textbook and instructional materials needs, new professional development models and addressing the needs of new teachers.
     “Restoring public confidence in schools” has been a continuing theme of his administration that has been marked by significantly increased standardized test scores, higher parent engagement and strong community and business relations.
     His efforts and the programs developed have been recognized at the local, state and national levels and are models in many other schools and districts.

 E-mail the Editor