Franklin Elementary has named a new principal, a familiar face of Franklin that’s beloved by the community and the school board.
Cynthia McGregory was named as the principal of Franklin Elementary School at a June 27 Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Board of Education meeting. Her appointment was unanimously and excitedly approved by the board.
“I’m gonna ask Cynthia McGregory to come to the podium while I brag about her,” Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said. “It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Franklin’s new principal Miss Cynthia McGregory.”
Drati proceeded to paint a picture of McGregory’s achievements throughout her career, a career she’s been developing since 1997.
McGregory earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara, double majoring in law and society and Black studies. She then earned a Master of Science from Mount St. Mary’s College in education, with a concentration in special education. She also received a Master of Arts in from Cal State Northridge in educational administration with distinction.
She worked at the Linden Center in various positions before joining SMMUSD, where she worked at the Off-Campus Learning Center at Olympic before becoming assistant principal at Franklin Elementary.
At Franklin, she assisted exiting principal Deanna Sinfield with maintaining student focus, supporting growth in learning on a daily basis, school discipline, hiring and developing teachers and more.
McGregory was visibly moved by her appointment to the position.
“I am beyond ecstatic,” McGregory began. “I’m so excited, emotional… I’m everything at once. I truly appreciate the opportunity. I look forward to everything we’re going to keep doing at Franklin with the support I have. Who wouldn’t want this? I have my teachers here, my kids here... I’m overwhelmed and very excited. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
“On behalf of the entire board, we’re so happy to have you in this position,” Board President Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein said.
The excitement was so palpable, so high, that the board nearly forgot to motion for McGregory’s position approval. After a few laughs and a unanimous vote, McGregor officially became Franklin’s new principal.
angel@smdp.com
