Former DeKalb leader is sole finalist to lead Clayton schools.

Clayton County Public Schools has announced a sole finalist for the superintendent’s job. Despite a nationwide search, the school board didn’t go far to find its candidate, endorsing current Clayton administrator Morcease J. Beasley.

Beasley joined the 54,000-student Clayton system last July as chief improvement officer after seven years in DeKalb. In DeKalb, Beasley last served as the district’s executive director for curriculum instruction, professional learning and federal programs. Beasley was also principal of DeKalb’s Stephenson High School from 2002 to 2006 when he left Georgia to become a deputy superintendent in Port Arthur, Texas. After nearly three years in Texas, he returned to DeKalb where he led Columbia High School before moving into the central office.