Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Finalist Engages with Community in Series of Town Halls

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Finalist Engages with Community in Series of Town Halls

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Parents in Atlanta will have an opportunity to meet the Atlanta Public Schools’ sole finalist for superintendent at a town hall Tuesday night. This will be the second in a series of meetings. On Monday, Dr. Bryan Johnson was at Midtown High School speaking with parents, answering questions, and introducing himself. He’ll do the same thing Tuesday night at The New Schools at Carver. Tuesday’s meeting is one of six town halls where the community can get to know Dr. Johnson and see why he’s been tapped as the top candidate for the job.

Background and Qualifications of Dr. Bryan Johnson

Dr. Johnson has been selected as the sole finalist as the school system is seeing a drop in enrollment by 2,000 students, according to data from last school year. Johnson is currently the executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and he was previously the superintendent of the Hamilton School District. In 2020, Johnson was named Tennessee’s Superintendent of the Year for the 2021 school year.

Community Engagement and Focus on Education

At Monday night’s town hall, Johnson spoke about his readiness for the job, stating, “I’ve pressed myself to discomfort, pressed myself to challenge, to serve children exceptionally well.” Parents attending the town halls expressed their hopes for increased interaction, community involvement, and focus on quality education under new leadership.

Addressing Concerns on Violence and Education Quality

Parents like Sonya Stewart emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to improving school safety and enhancing teaching methods to cater to diverse student needs. Dr. Johnson echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing mental health challenges among students, ensuring a safe learning environment, and supporting teachers with classroom management.

Upcoming Town Hall Schedule

Due to state laws, the board is required to wait at least 14 days before making Johnson the official superintendent. After that, a board vote is scheduled for July 8. The remaining town halls will take place at the following locations:

• June 27 at Benjamin E. Mays High School, 3450 Benjamin E Mays Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
• July 2 at Willis A. Sutton Middle School, 2875 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
• July 3 at Daniel M. Therrell High School, 3099 Panther Trail SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
• July 5 at Booker T. Washington High School, 45 Whitehouse Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Each town hall will take place from 6-7 p.m. and can be viewed virtually on the Atlanta Public Schools website.

Conclusion

As Atlanta Public Schools move forward in selecting a new superintendent, community engagement and feedback from parents and students play a crucial role in shaping the future of the district. Dr. Bryan Johnson’s commitment to listening, understanding, and proactive leadership will be vital in addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead.