Sole finalist for Atlanta Public Schools superintendent named

Sole finalist for Atlanta Public Schools superintendent named

ATLANTA, Ga. (HERE News) – Dr. Bryan Johnson has been named the sole finalist for Atlanta Public Schools’ next top educator. “Humbled to have the opportunity to serve the children of Atlanta. Very appreciative of the school board. Their intensity and intentionality throughout the process and really just ready to get to work,” Johnson said.

Experience and Readiness

Johnson is currently the executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has served in several educational leadership roles including superintendent of the Hamilton School District, and now he said he’s ready to fill this new role. “Anytime you come into a new community, you understand that you’re the change. So, I want to listen and understand what the challenges are, and you only get that listening by being on the grounds. We’ll be on the ground. We’ll be in schools. We’ll be in the community. We’ll work to understand the challenges that exist within Atlanta,” Dr. Johnson said.

Challenges in Enrollment

The selection of Johnson comes as Atlanta Public Schools is seeing a downturn in student enrollment. The enrollment has dropped 4% since 2019, according to Atlanta Public Schools. There were 52,416 students enrolled in 2019-20. In 2022-23, the enrollment dropped to 50,325, a difference of 2,091 students, according to Atlanta Public Schools. “Nationwide, urban school districts saw dips in enrollment in the immediate post-pandemic years,” said a spokesperson for Atlanta Public Schools. “Some contributing factors may include homelessness, mental and emotional health issues, gentrification of neighborhoods, and a lack of affordable housing. Atlanta Public Schools will continue to monitor its enrollment data and remains committed to addressing the issue.”

Future Focus Areas

Johnson highlighted literacy as a critical focus area, emphasizing the importance of working closely with teachers and leaders in curriculum understanding. He also stressed the significance of community engagement and teacher retention, mentioning the need for both compensation and supportive culture to retain educators.

Addressing School Violence

When asked about addressing violence in schools, Johnson emphasized the importance of social and emotional learning, mental health support, and maintaining a qualified police and security force. He stressed the need for creating a safe and conducive environment for learning, where both students and adults feel safe.

Transition Period

Dr. Danielle Battle has been the interim superintendent since the school board voted not to renew former Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring’s contract. The school board will have to wait 14 days before officially naming the new superintendent due to Georgia law. During this time, there will be various engagement opportunities for the community to interact with Dr. Johnson before the official board vote.

Conclusion

The appointment of Dr. Bryan Johnson as the sole finalist for Atlanta Public Schools superintendent brings a promise of fresh perspectives and strategic leadership to address the current challenges facing the school district. With a focus on community engagement, literacy, teacher retention, and safety, Dr. Johnson appears poised to lead Atlanta Public Schools into a new era of educational excellence.