APS to hold virtual town halls with superintendent candidate

Atlanta school board members will host six virtual question-and-answer sessions this week with the superintendent finalist they’ve picked to lead Atlanta Public Schools.

Last month, the board named Birmingham City School District Superintendent Lisa Herring as its top pick for APS superintendent.

This week, the board will hold virtual town hall sessions with Herring, one for each of the districts around the city that the elected officials represent.

The board is expected to vote to finalize Herring’s appointment next week, though a date for that meeting has yet to be announced. By law, the board can’t vote until at least 14 days after April 21, when the board announced Herring had been picked as the top candidate.

Because of social distancing requirements and other restrictions prompted by the coronavirus, the board intends to introduce the candidate to APS parents, staff and others via virtual events.

Those who wish to ask Herring a question can do so online or by phone during the upcoming forums:

• Board district 2 (central Atlanta): 4 p.m. Tuesday online at tinyurl.com/2district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 889 6024 5910.
• Board district 4 (north Atlanta): 5 p.m. Tuesday online at tinyurl.com/4district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 810 3192 6707.
• Board district 3 (east Atlanta): 4 p.m. Wednesday online at tinyurl.com/3district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 874 6608 7097.
• Board district 6 (south Atlanta): 5 p.m. Wednesday online at tinyurl.com/6district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 870 0907 8042.
• Board district 1 (southeast Atlanta): 4 p.m. Thursday online at tinyurl.com/1district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 811 3110 0554.
• Board district 5 (west Atlanta): 5 p.m. Thursday online at tinyurl.com/5district or via phone at (312) 626-6799. If calling in by phone, use the meeting identification number 815 1951 4016.