Atlanta school board votes to extend superintendent’s contract
The Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday to extend Superintendent Bryan Johnson’s contract for one additional year.
The move means Johnson’s contract now ends on July 8, 2028.
The board hired Johnson about a year ago. He was working at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at the time and previously led the Hamilton County Schools. He was named Tennessee’s Superintendent of the Year in 2021 and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year.
During a called school board meeting on Monday, Johnson recalled meeting Atlanta Public Schools staff on the first day of school last year.
“It was the first time I saw really, really happy bus drivers across the board,” he said. “You know what I mean? I’m just being honest. Collectively, (they) ... were happy, and you can feel that sense when you’ve been in the school business for a little while.”
Johnson was sworn in on Aug. 5, 2024, although the first day for students was Aug. 1. Nonetheless, he showed up on the first day of school and toured the bus depot and a couple of schools.
“Dr. Johnson’s leadership has brought a renewed sense of focus, urgency, and strategic clarity to Atlanta Public Schools,” Atlanta School Board Chair Erika Y. Mitchell said in a statement. “His commitment to student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and equity aligns with the values of our community.”
In a press release, the school district touted Johnson’s stated “Back to Basics” approach, which includes focusing on math and literacy instruction, plans to raise the average teacher salary to $100,000, expanding prekindergarten and closing an estimated $100 million budget gap for the upcoming school year.
About the Author
Martha Dalton is a journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writing about K-12 education. She was previously a senior education reporter at WABE, Atlanta's NPR affiliate. Before that, she was a general assignment reporter at CNN Radio. Martha has worked in media for more than 20 years. She taught elementary school in a previous life.
