What's Up, Doc? Thanks to Dr. Greenberg

By Randall Freeman, PhD

It’s always difficult to say goodbye to someone you have known and respected for several years. The good thing about this certain goodbye is that the person in question is retiring, not dying.

I am writing about someone whom I consider to be a good friend and colleague, Dr. Jonathan Greenberg. Dr. Greenberg has served as the district superintendent for the Perris Union High School District since 2007. The PUHSD includes Paloma Valley and Heritage High Schools, two schools who have served Menifee students very well during Dr. Greenberg’s tenure as superintendent.

Dr. Greenberg officially retires on Aug. 31, a couple of short weeks from now. Under his tutelage, the PUHSD has improved student achievement by a large margin. This has been accomplished while improving the safety and environment of the students.

The process toward the unification of Menifee schools has made progress under Dr. Greenberg’s tenure. The land has been purchased, architectural plans have been drawn, and other preliminary work has been completed. Measure T of 2012 has set aside some $76 million toward the building of the high school on Scott Road. Only the economic downturn has delayed the long-awaited new school.

Jonathan Greenberg asked me to co-chair the campaign for Measure T in 2012. The measure passed with some 61 percent of the vote, demonstrating the trust that the voters in our community have placed in the leaders of PUHSD to continue the work to build and open High School Number 4. I have no doubt that this school will be completed and will serve Menifee students in the same fashion that Paloma Valley and Heritage have done these past years.

Dr. Greenberg will be handing the PUHSD reins to Grant Bennett, a longtime administrator in the PUHSD. Grant will perform his responsibilities in an excellent fashion but he still has some rather big shoes to fill.

I wish you well, Dr. Greenberg. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve it.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his lovely wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the proud parents of four beautiful daughters: Daniela, Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Other family members include dogs Scruffy and Max, and turtle Tuttles. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. When not assisting Karen in driving the girls to all of their sporting events, Randy volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley.