Dr. Gregory E. Thornton begins as leader of Milwaukee Public Schools
Dr. Gregory E. Thornton was sworn in as Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools last week. City Clerk Ronald Leonhardt administered the oath of office to Dr. Thornton in the MPS Central Services building. This begins Dr. Thornton’s tenure under a two-year contract with the Board of School Directors.
“Alright, let’s get to work,” said Dr. Thornton after the brief ceremony.
Dr. Thornton’s priorities for the district include increased student achievement, effective and efficient operations, and sustained partnerships with the Milwaukee parent and business communities.
Dr. Thornton’s career in education spans almost 30 years. It includes experience in the classroom as a teacher, and in school leadership as a principal at both the elementary and secondary levels.
Prior to coming to Milwakee, Dr. Thornton served as Superintendent of Chester Upland Public Schools in Chester, Pennsylvania, where he facilitated reforms to bring about increases in student achievement, created schoolcommunity partnerships and improved the fiscal and business efficiencies of the district. He served previously as Chief Academic Officer of The School District of Philadelphia and has held leadership positions in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools and Charlotte- Mecklenburg Public Schools in North Carolina.
Dr. Thornton is married, has two grown sons and one granddaughter. His interest in the lives of MPS students and his concern for their futures is evidenced in his description of himself as “the chief parent”.
