Meria Carstarphen through the years

Metro Atlanta

Meria Carstarphen through the years

The superintendent of the Austin school district, was named Thursday as the sole finalist to lead Atlanta’s public schools. See photos from her tenure.

Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the lone finalist to replace Pat Forgione as AISD Superintendent, says hello to Eydie Lugo's first grade class at Zilker Elementary School on Thursday Feb. 26, 2009.

Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the lone finalist to replace Pat Forgione as AISD Superintendent, kicks a soccer ball during a tour of Zilker Elementary School on Thursday Feb. 26, 2009. AISD Board Trustee Lori Moya, left, watches.

Zilker Elementary kindergartner Tommy Richard, 5, had a spill during lunch so he asked Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the lone finalist to replace Pat Forgione as AISD Superintendent, for help on Thursday Feb. 26, 2009. Carstarphen decided to eat lunch with the students during a tour of the school.

Austin Independent School District superintendent finalist Dr. Meria Carstarphen speaks with members of the community during a forum held at Reagan High School in Austin, Texas on March 7, 2009.

Austin schools Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen discusses options for the future of Pearce Middle School during an AISD Community Meeting at Pearce. The meeting drew about 400 citizens who asked questions of AISD officials in the school gymnasium Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen speaks to teachers, staff and administrators during a convocation ceremony at the Travis County Expo Center Tuesday on August 18, 2009.

New AISD Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen laughs with Casey Elementary School first-grader Gabriel Hardin on Monday, August 24, 2009.

New AISD Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen looks back at students at Casey Elementary as she washes her hands before heading into the cafeteria to eat lunch on Monday, August 24, 2009. Hand washing and using hand sanitizers were being encouraged as schools attempted to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus.

New AISD Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen spends the lunch hour with Casey Elementary School students on Monday, August 24, 2009.

Members of the Reagan High School community and partners celebrated the opening of the school's new Family Resource Center on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. From left are: Allen Weeks, Project Director for six Family Resource Centers; Emily Edwards, a social worker for the resource center; Ashley Weeks, 5; Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen; and others.

Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen presents bouquets of roses to one of the 2010 Teacher of the Year Finalists, Heather Lea Fleming, representing kindergarten though fifth grade.

Austin High School principal Dr. Lucio Calzada, left, holds the school's mascot, named Mr. Maroo, as he is joined by AISD Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen in leading graduates onto the floor of the Frank Erwin Center on June 3, 2010.

AISD Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen, left, celebrates scoring a goal against Michael Lofton, executive director and founder of the African American Men & Boys Harvest Foundation during a tour of the foundation's offices in Austin, Texas, on Friday, June 25, 2010/

AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen held a Virtual School Hall Convocation at the Austin High School Larry Preas Theatre for all district employees Tuesday morning, August 17, 2010, which was carried live online throughout the school district. Carstarphen greets Reagan Raiders cheerleaders who performed during the meeting.

AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen held a Virtual School Hall Convocation at the Austin High School Larry Preas Theatre for all district employees Tuesday morning, August 17, 2010, which was carried live online throughout the school district. Carstarphen, following her presentation, tossed a football around the room.

AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen speaks on January 22, 2011 during a task force meeting at district headquarters to intended to identify nine schools the district could close to increase efficiency.

Austin school board members met March 7, 2011 to discuss whether they should offer an incentive package for district employees who give early notice of resignation, among other things, as part of the district's budget shortfalls and expected employee cuts. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and Board President Mark Williams talk during the meeting.

The 2nd annual B. L. Joyce Mini Parade was held through East Austin on April 8, 2011 to celebrate the first band director of the old L.C. Anderson High School and to foster community pride and unity. AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen leads a cheer for the students on hand with Reagan sophomore Keona Johnson joining in front of the museum.

AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen speaks about a $4.6 million grant from the Moody Foundation to create a school for young men on June 2, 2011.

Meria Carstarphen and Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg attend Celebration of Giving for Austin Community Foundation at FourSeasons Hotel on October 18, 2011.

Meria Carstarphen added performance art to her annual State of the District address held at the McCallum Arts Center on November 30, 2011. She stated she will ask the school board to lift the Austin school district's declaration of a financial emergency in January and asked them to call an election for a tax increase in the 2012-13 school year.

Meria Carstarphen added performance art to her annual State of the District address held at the McCallum Arts Center on November 30, 2011. She stated she would ask the school board to lift the Austin school district's declaration of a financial emergency that January and asked them to call an election for a tax increase in the 2012-13 school year.

Meria Carstarphen added performance art to her annual State of the District address held at the McCallum Arts Center on November 30, 2011. She stated she would ask the school board to lift the Austin school district's declaration of a financial emergency that January and asked them to call an election for a tax increase in the 2012-13 school year.

Austin Independent School District Superintendent Meria Carstarphen during a question-and-answer session with the Statesman at AISD offices on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Austin schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen testified before Judge John Dietz in the school finance trial November 26, 2012. Carstarphen provided answers to questioning from attorney David Thompson.

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Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the lone finalist to replace Pat Forgione as AISD Superintendent, says hello to Eydie Lugo's first grade class at Zilker Elementary School on Thursday Feb. 26, 2009.

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