Dr. Gabriel Trujillo serves as the Superintendent of the Tucson Unified School District, a position he has held since September 2017. With six years of dedicated service to the Tucson Unified community, he oversees the education and well-being of 40,000 students and families, as well as the operations of 89 schools and programs. The Tucson Unified School District not only serves as the state’s 3rd largest K-12 educational system, but also one of its most diverse ethnically and academically. The district is home not only to one of the largest Special Education and English Language Learner student populations, but home to one of the largest Gifted and Talented student populations in the state as well.Under Dr. Trujillo's guidance, the district has made significant strides in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusivity for all students as demonstrated by the dramatic expansion of access to Two Way Dual Language Programs and advanced course taking opportunities across the district. As a result of these impressive strides, the district achieved a monumental milestone in its history by gaining full and unconditional release from court supervision in its long-standing Desegregation Order. Having grown up in Arizona and having graduated from the Peoria Unified School District, Dr. Trujillo is a product of Arizona public schools. His commitment to education spans over 25 years, during which he has served in various roles, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, Human Resources Director, and Assistant Superintendent.
Since assuming the role of Superintendent, Dr. Trujillo has witnessed remarkable academic progress within Tucson Unified schools. In the 2021-2022 school year, over 40% of district schools improved their respective letter grades, with a noteworthy 20% increase in A and B-rated schools as evaluated by the Arizona Department of Education.
Dr. Trujillo is an unwavering advocate for music education and the arts, striving to provide students with ample opportunities to explore these areas. Under his leadership, the district has invested significantly in expanding fine arts and music education programs. This includes restoring music teaching positions, initiating a comprehensive instrument purchase and repair program, and acquiring new uniforms for band and fine arts programs throughout the district.
Dr. Trujillo exhibits the same passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE), which has seen a nearly-doubled enrollment of 7,000 students in CTE courses over the past six years. To further support CTE, innovative new programs and facilities, such as the Dental Assistant and Diesel Engine Repair programs at Santa Rita High School, have been established, alongside the district's first CTE-focused high school, Innovation Tech.
Under Dr. Trujillo's leadership, the Tucson Unified School District places a strong emphasis on investing a substantial portion of its budget directly into the classroom. More than 73% of the district's budget is allocated to instructional support, professional development for teachers, and student support services. These investments also extend to the expansion of exceptional preschool programs and before and after-school childcare programs throughout the district.
Dr. Trujillo's dedication and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, he was recognized as the Superintendent of the Year by the Arizona Music Education Association, and in 2022, he received the Superintendent of the Year award from the Arizona Association for Latino Administrators and Superintendents. Additionally, he serves as a board member for the Arizona Business Education Coalition, the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Heart Association, and Tucson Values Teachers.
A proud graduate of Arizona State University, where he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees, Dr. Trujillo remains committed to serving the Tucson Unified community, ensuring academic success, access, and opportunity for every child. He envisions a culture of excellence in customer service, family engagement, and community involvement at every school, every day.
This meeting is sponsored by:
