ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Public School Board has hired Dr. Meria Carstarphen as its new superintendent.
Carstarphen was named the sole candidate two weeks ago. The Atlanta Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday to approve her hiring.
"It's time to bring pride back to the school system," said Carstarphen during a press conference after the formal vote by the board
Some parents staged a last-minute protest to delay that decision.Opponents said they don't necessarily have a problem with Carstarphen, rather they say her selection wasn't transparent. Many groups have come forward saying they feel the one candidate selection process will not help restore public confidence in a school system still plagued with scandal.
Carstarphen is currently the superintendent of schools in Austin, Texas. She joined that system in 2009.
On Sunday, she held another town hall meeting with parents in Atlanta.
Carstarphen is set to sign a three-year contract with a base salary of $375,000 a year, with additional automobile and expense allowances. Her start date is listed at July 7. The contract does not include provisions for performance bonuses.
When asked why she would come to a school system with Atlanta's history, which includes the cheating scandal, Carstarphen told the group she's up for the challenge.
"In a large urban school district, you're in the frying pan. This (Atlanta) may be closer to an inferno, blistering with heat. I have a skill set I've been working on for a long time... I'm going into it with eyes wide open... I look forward to the opportunity to do great work in this city," said Carstarphen.
