Decatur superintendent assigns new roles to current staffers

Decatur Superintendent David Dude announced new leadership roles for three current staffers this week. Courtesy City Schools of Decatur

Decatur Superintendent David Dude announced new leadership roles for three current staffers this week. Courtesy City Schools of Decatur

Decatur schools Superintendent David Dude unveiled his reorganization of the school system’s administration last month, its first major revamping in close to 20 years. He eliminated the titles of the nine current department heads to create 10 district leadership positions with new titles and mostly new job descriptions.

Heidi Whatley, current student support director will become the research and analytics director. Joe Austin, current director of assessment and accountability will become staff development and learning director. Director of Secondary Education Bruce Roaden will become executive director of student support over athletics, clubs, special education, counselors, nurses and social workers.

Other current staffers who had previously been assigned new district leadership posts: Noel Maloof (executive director of operations), Courtney Burnett (director of community and government relations), Susan Hurst (executive director of finance), David Adams (executive director of staff support) and Eston Melton (executive director of information services).

Two leadership roles remain unfilled: recently posted executive director of curriculum and instruction and equity director, which has already received 38 applicants nationwide.