Compton Unified Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend the Superintendent’s employment contract. In a vote of confidence for Dr. Darin Brawley’s leadership and that of Deputy Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Alvarez, the CUSD Board extended both leader’s contracts, originally set to end June of 2021 to June of 2023. Dr. Brawley joined Compton Unified District in 2012. He was recently awarded 2019 Superintendent of the Year by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

“I am honored by the Board’s decision and support and am looking forward to continuing to carrying forward their vision of elevating the entire district so that every child who attends a Compton school has access to a quality education and opportunities for lifelong success,” said Superintendent Brawley.

Since Dr. Brawley joined CUSD as Superintendent, the district has eliminated the $40M in debt, is now experiencing increases in Math and ELA scores, has a high school graduation rate nearing 90%, and successfully opened an early college high school that celebrated its first senior class graduation with 100% of its seniors graduating and accepted into 4-year universities.

“Graduation rates are up, STEM programs are now the norm and the arts are thriving in the Compton Unified School district. He has been awarded Superintendent of the Year by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. He has demonstrated not only the ability to turnaround outcomes for our scholars, but also to elevate them. I have full confidence that he, along with his outstanding Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Alex Alvarez, will continue leading our upward trajectory into a new era of excellence and barrier-breaking opportunities for our students,” said President Micah Ali.

Under Dr. Brawley’s leadership, two schools have been awarded National Blue Ribbon status and the District celebrated the opening of its first middle college—Compton Early College High School--100% of whose 2019 graduating class was accepted into four-year universities. Several schools have received Title I Performing Schools recognition, as well as California Distinguished School Awards.

“Dr. Brawley has shown commitment to continuous improvement. He and Dr. Alvarez have performed remarkably and our students and schools are benefitting as a result. I am proud to continue to support the work of the LA County Superintendent of the Year!” said Vice President Satra Zurita.

The Board noted that Dr. Brawley’s efforts have resulted in significant increases in graduation rates during his tenure, as well as increased A-G participation rates, and FAFSA completion rates at all high schools that well exceed the national average. Also noted was how Dr. Brawley has deepened a focus on elevating student achievement through groundbreaking partnerships and investment in STEAM programming. As a result, CUSD was selected as a co-host location for the 2020 League of Innovative Schools National Convening.

About Dr. Darin Brawley

Dr. Brawley received his doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California. He has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Redlands.

His experience in education includes serving as a high school teacher, middle school assistant principal, elementary principal, middle school principal, director of human resources, executive director of human resources, deputy superintendent of student learning, and superintendent.

About Dr. Alejandro Alvarez

Dr. Alvarez oversees fiscal services, maintenance, operations, facilities, transportation, student nutrition, purchasing, warehouse, benefits, human resources, risk management and information technology for the district. He as held positions such as human resource director, principal, and assistant principal. Dr. Alvarez is a U.S. Marine Corp veteran. He earned a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California, a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.