About Dr. Thompson
John Thompson began serving as the superintendent of the New Haven Unified School District in July of 2019. Prior to working in New Haven, Dr. Thompson served as an assistant superintendent in the San Leandro Unified School District for nine years where he was primarily in charge of human resources. Before coming to San Leandro, Dr. Thompson worked in the South San Francisco Unified School District for 16 years where he was a high school teacher, high school assistant principal, elementary principal, and assistant/associate superintendent.
With over two decades of public education service, Dr. Thompson has experience leading work in many areas of education including curriculum development, student services, special education, human resources, and labor relations. He also has led and implemented school bond related design teams and construction projects.
Dr. Thompson's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master's degree in educational leadership from San Francisco State University, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of San Francisco. He is also credentialed to teach biology and general science.
Superintendent’s Message
Fall 2025
Dear NHUSD Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,
I am excited to welcome everyone back as we begin the 2025-26 school year. We start the year well-positioned for another great year: our budget is stable, our strategic plan initiatives are moving forward into the second year of our plan, and we are excited to get Measure N projects underway.
Some Measure N projects have already been completed. For example, students and staff at Cesar Chavez and Itliong-Vera Cruz middle schools will return to buildings that have been freshly painted. Many other projects are underway or in the planning phases. As most of you are aware, the largest of these projects will be the renovation of James Logan High School. The design phase will commence in the fall, offering opportunities for input from the JLHS community.
We are very thankful to our community for passing Measure N. The Measure N projects will benefit our students and staff for many years to come.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our school sites and events, and I hope you all have a great start to the 2025-26 school year.
Sincerely,
John Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
SPANISH TRANSLATION
Estimados estudiantes, personal, familias y miembros de la comunidad del NHUSD:
Me complace darles la bienvenida a todos al inicio del año escolar 2025-26. Comenzamos el año bien preparados para otro gran año: nuestro presupuesto es estable, las iniciativas de nuestro plan estratégico avanzan hacia el segundo año de nuestro plan y estamos emocionados de poner en marcha los proyectos de la Medida N.
Algunos proyectos de la Medida N ya se han completado. Por ejemplo, los estudiantes y el personal de las escuelas secundarias César Chávez e Itliong-Vera Cruz regresarán a edificios que han sido pintados recientemente. Muchos otros proyectos están en marcha o en fase de planificación. Como la mayoría de ustedes saben, el proyecto más grande será la renovación de la preparatoria James Logan. La fase de diseño comenzará en otoño, lo que ofrecerá oportunidades para que la comunidad de JLHS dé su opinión.
Estamos muy agradecidos a nuestra comunidad por aprobar la Medida N. Los proyectos de esta Medida beneficiarán a nuestros estudiantes y personal durante muchos años.
Espero verlos a todos en nuestras escuelas y eventos, y espero que tengan un excelente comienzo del año escolar 2025-26.
Atentamente,
John Thompson, Ed.D.
Superintendente
