DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County schools has announced its next superintendent.
In a 6 – 1 vote, the board approved Cheryl Watson-Harris as the next superintendent of DeKalb County School District.
Watson-Harris currently serves as First Deputy Chancellor, Senior Director of Field Support and Brooklyn Executive Director for the New York City Department of Education. She previously served as Network Superintendent and principal for Boston Public Schools (BPS). She is the youngest person ever named to a principal position in BPS.
“The community’s passion for student success was palpable in each meeting I had, and I want to thank everyone who engaged with me. I intend to meet as many of you in person as soon as conditions permit,” Watson-Harris said. “It is encouraging to see an abundance of support for the important work ahead, and I am excited to get started.”
Her three-year contract begins on July 1. Her annual base salary is $325,000.
In April, the DeKalb school board rejected its previous candidate for new superintendent.
Dr. Rudy Crew’s past had generated a string of controversies like his spending and travel in Oregon, his spending in New York and his fights with his school board in Miami.
Watson-Harris will succeed Ramona Tyson, who has served as interim superintendent and superintendent since November 2019. She is retiring after serving more than 30 years in the school system.
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