DeKalb Schools: Technology chief leaving for city of Atlanta

Gary Brantley, the DeKalb County School District's chief information officer.

Gary Brantley, the DeKalb County School District's chief information officer.

Gary Brantley, DeKalb County School District's chief information officer, is leaving the district after seven years to work for the city of Atlanta in the same capacity.

Brantley will begin with the city on Oct. 8.

Former DeKalb Schools Chief Operations Officer Joshua Williams left his post to work for the city last month.

VIDEO: In other DeKalb news

Brantley, who joined the district in 2011, has been lauded in recent years for the district's Digital Dreamers initiative, securing partnerships to provide digital access for students across the district, including district-issued laptops and tablets as well as wireless hotspots that can be used at home.

“His dedicated work and accolades over the past seven years have proven that DeKalb County School District fosters the best of the best talent and innovation — not just in Georgia, but in the entire nation,” Superintendent Steve Green said. “We are proud of the work Mr. Brantley was able to accomplish in our district and know it will continue wherever he applies himself.”

In a statement announcing the hire, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Brantley’s innovation efforts will play a key role with the city.

“Managing the city’s technology infrastructure effectively is not only critical to our ability to deliver quality customer service to residents and businesses but, as we learned first-hand earlier this year, to our ability to run an efficient government,” Bottoms said. “I was most impressed by Mr. Brantley’s efforts to extend technology into underserved communities, while also maximizing innovation within the workplace.”

The announcement of Brantley's departure follows news on Sept. 10 that Chief of Staff Ramona Tyson, a former interim superintendent, will move into a position under the school board.