Atlanta Public Schools announces sole finalist for superintendent position

June 18th, 2024

On Tuesday, Dr. Bryan Johnson of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was announced as the sole finalist for the superintendent position for Atlanta Public Schools. Johnson comes to APS after serving as executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee. (Jasmine Robinson/WABE)

An award-winning Tennessee educator is now the sole finalist for Atlanta Public Schools’ new superintendent, the district announced Tuesday morning.

Dr. Bryan Johnson comes to APS after serving as executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.

The APS board’s decision comes after months of searching for a candidate to fill the role after the dismissal of former Superintendent Lisa Herring in 2023.

According to APS, the board searched for a leader who would be equity-driven, experienced-based and a chief communicator who knows the city of Atlanta.

Johnson started his career as a teacher before moving onto administrative roles, including as chief academic officer for the Clarksville Montgomery County School System.

He also has experience leading a school system, serving as superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga from 2017 to 2021. During his tenure, Johnson was awarded Tennessee’s Superintendent of the Year award and was a finalist the same year for National Superintendent.

The APS board noted that under Johnson’s leadership in Hamilton County, he was able to turn it into one of the fastest-growing districts in Tennessee.

Johnson said that he was impressed by the board’s “commitment to excellence and commitment to children” in working to find a strong leader.

“This is an important moment for me and I don’t take it lightly,” Johnson said Tuesday during the board meeting. “Our goal is to be the best urban school district in the country, and I firmly believe that we are positioned and poised to do just that.”

Due to state law, the board will have to wait 14 days before officially voting on appointing Johnson to the position.

Johnson is looking forward to it.

“The opportunity that we have to educate the children of Atlanta is pivotal … we came here with a mission, we came here with a focus. So let’s get to work.”