Dr. Francisco Durán

Dr. Francisco Durán has a diverse background in education spanning 30 years, in a variety of large urban school divisions. He is a bilingual educator who began his career as a special education assistant, and he served as a middle school language arts and social studies teacher. He went on to hold administrative and leadership positions in the San Francisco Unified School District, served as a Regional Superintendent in the School District of Philadelphia, Chief Academic and Equity Officer in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Superintendent of Trenton Public Schools in New Jersey. Dr. Durán is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University and Howard University. On May 7, 2020, the Arlington School Board appointed Dr. Durán as Superintendent and he was reappointed to a second four-year term on July 1. 2023.

In 2018, Dr. Durán was appointed to a four-year term on the Virginia State Board of Education where he played a key role in the adoption of the new Standards of Quality for Virginia.

Dr. Durán has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of New Mexico, a master’s degree in educational administration from San Francisco State University, and a master’s degree and doctorate in organization and leadership from Columbia University.

Dr. Durán has been a lifelong champion for students of color, English learners, students with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ youth, and increasing the number of women and people of color in leadership positions. In Fairfax County as Chief Academic and Equity Officer, he helped develop, initiate, and implement the “One Fairfax” policy to close opportunity, access and achievement gaps, a joint social and racial equity policy with Fairfax County Government.

Dr. Durán Remarks on Second Term Appointment

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