News Summary
The Atlanta Board of Education has unanimously voted to extend Dr. Bryan Johnson’s contract for another year, ensuring his leadership role through 2028. This decision reflects the board’s confidence in his ability to navigate Atlanta Public Schools through essential transformations. Johnson’s educational approach focuses on fundamental skills, and plans for increasing teacher salaries and expanding prekindergarten opportunities are underway. His contract extension has garnered support from various stakeholders, indicating a positive shift within the school district as it addresses challenges and aims to enhance educational quality.
Atlanta – The Atlanta Board of Education has voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson’s contract for an additional year, solidifying his leadership role through July 6, 2028. This decision was made during a board meeting on July 7, 2024, reflecting the board’s confidence in Johnson’s ability to guide Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
Dr. Johnson, who was appointed as superintendent on August 5, 2021, has been steering the direction of APS for nearly three years. Before taking on this role, he held the position of executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and previously served as the superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. His experience in both public education and corporate leadership has become an asset for the school district.
Recognized as Tennessee’s Superintendent of the Year in 2021, Johnson was also a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year award, highlighting his capabilities and accomplishments in educational leadership. Upon his arrival at APS, he quickly acquainted himself with the operations of the district by touring facilities, including a bus depot, where he expressed appreciation for the drivers’ enthusiasm.
Johnson’s leadership has been credited with instilling a renewed focus, urgency, and strategic clarity within APS. His educational approach, termed “Back to Basics,” emphasizes essential skills in subjects such as mathematics and literacy. Under his guidance, the district plans to increase the average annual teacher salary to $100,000, aiming to attract and retain high-quality educators.
The APS is also focusing on expanding prekindergarten opportunities, reflecting a commitment to early childhood education. To address financial challenges, the district is working to close a projected $100 million budget gap for the upcoming school year while ensuring that students continue to receive quality educational services.
Board Chair Erika Y. Mitchell commended Johnson for his dedication to student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and equity throughout the district. In addition, a new literacy curriculum based on the science of reading has been implemented during his tenure, with the objective of enhancing academic outcomes across all grades.
Vice Chair Jennifer McDonald praised Johnson’s data-driven decision-making approach, noting that there are early signs of transformation within the district. Furthermore, APS has initiated a new strategic planning process for the years 2025-2030 to sharpen its focus on literacy, mathematics, and programs aimed at college readiness.
Support for Johnson’s contract extension also comes from the Georgia Federation of Teachers, with President Verdaillia Turner indicating that the extension provides much-needed stability during uncertain times for the district. Additionally, there has been a noticeable decrease in complaints from both parents and staff since Johnson assumed office, indicating a growing sense of satisfaction within the APS community.
As Dr. Johnson continues his leadership of Atlanta Public Schools, the district aims to build on its recent achievements and tackle the challenges ahead, ensuring that students receive the highest quality of education.
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Additional Resources
- AJC: Atlanta School Board Votes to Extend Superintendent’s Contract
- Google Search: Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Contract Extension
- 11Alive: Atlanta Board of Education Superintendent Contract Extension
- Wikipedia: Atlanta Public Schools
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Atlanta Public Schools Extends Superintendent’s Contract through 2028
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Superintendent
- The Southerner: Midtown Students Collaborate with Superintendent
- Google News: Atlanta School Board Superintendent Contract
- Saporta Report: New APS Superintendent’s Vision
- Google Scholar: Superintendent Contract in Education
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ATLANTA STAFF WRITER The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
