This week, the Atlanta Board of Education announced its sole finalist for superintendent. Lisa Herring, who currently leads the Birmingham City Schools, is expected to replace outgoing Superintendent Meria Carstarphen this summer. The board decided in September not to vote to extend current Carstarphen’s contract, which ends June 30. The school board launched a national search for a new superintendent in October.
Herring is a 25-year education veteran. She’s a native of Macon, Georgia, and a graduate of Spelman College. She received her doctorate at Georgia Southern University. In addition to Birmingham, Herring has worked for the Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Charleston County School District in South Carolina. She has also worked as a school counselor and director of support services in the DeKalb County School District.
In an interview with WABE, Herring talks about how she’ll approach the new school year after the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted in-person learning. She discusses her thoughts on APS’s five-year strategic plan and whether she’ll build on the work Carstarphen has done to turn around lower-performing schools.
State law requires the school board to wait at least 14 days after announcing a sole finalist for superintendent before it can cast a final vote. Board chair Jason Esteves has said the board could extend that period of time to give the community enough time to weigh in on Herring’s candidacy through email, social media, and virtual meetings.
A note of disclosure: The Atlanta Board of Education holds WABE’s broadcast license.
