Atlanta

Board names finalist for Atlanta Public Schools superintendent job

ATLANTA — The Atlanta school board announced Tuesday morning a finalist for the district’s superintendent job.

Dr. Lisa Herring has been selected as the board’s candidate to take over Atlanta Public Schools. Herring comes from Birmingham City Schools District, where she has spent the last three years in the same role.

“Over the last six months, the APS community played a significant role in crafting the leadership profile the Board used to identify potential candidates,” said Board Chairman Jason Esteves. “We believe with her passion for serving students paired with her focus on equity and achievement for all, Dr. Herring is the best leader to take APS to a new level and close the achievement gap for so many of our students.

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Herring earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and Master’s from South Carolina. She holds a Doctorate in Education Administration from Georgia Southern University and an Educational Leadership Certificate from the University of Georgia.

She previously worked for DeKalb County and Bibb County school districts.

The Macon, Georgia native is the board’s pick to replace Dr. Meria Cartsarphen. The board previously announced in September it would not renew Carstarphen’s contract after it expires this year.

The district hired Carstarphen in 2014 to turn it around following the 2014 APS cheating scandal.

Georgia law requires school boards to wait a minimum of 14 days between announcing superintendent finalists and making the hire official. The district will host a series of virtual meetings for parents and educators to meet Herring and ask questions.