NORTH : BREA : New School Leader Held Post in Tustin

Margaret Lynch, assistant superintendent of instructional services for the Tustin Unified School District, has been hired as Brea Olinda Unified School District superintendent.

Lynch, 46, will take over the post July 15, becoming the first woman to head the district.

The school board hired Lynch last week after a three-month search to replace Edgar Z. Seal, who will retire early next month.

Lynch said that in her new position she will make it a point to meet regularly with parents, students, principals, teachers, community groups and area business leaders.

“I think it’s important that we work together,” she said. “Schools don’t do things in isolation. It’s a partnership between parents and businesses and the community to create the best environment for student learning.”

There were dozen of applicants for the superintendent’s job and 12 were interviewed, district officials said.

Lynch began her career as a student activities director at Parsons College in Iowa 24 years ago.

She became a teacher in 1970, teaching English, drama, history, reading and journalism in an intermediate school and in 1975 became Tustin High School’s journalism teacher.

She was the school’s principal from 1984 to 1988, when she became assistant superintendent.

“I’m really excited about the new superintendent,” trustee Todd A. Spitzer said. “I think she will bring a whole renewed sense of energy for the district and the future of our kids.”

Earlier this month, school board trustees decided to name the academic hall at Brea Olinda High School after retiring superintendent Seal, who lead the district for 12 years.