ATLANTA — It's a new era after Atlanta Public Schools officially welcomed its new superintendent on Monday at a special board meeting.
The Atlanta Board of Education first introduced Dr. Bryan Johnson to the community after announcing him as the sole finalist for the position.
"This is an exciting day for APS as we welcome Dr. Johnson into our community," said ABOE Board Chairperson Erika Mitchel. "I would like to thank my fellow board members for their dedication and persistence through the superintendent search process."
At Monday's board meeting, community members gave mixed reviews during public comment on welcoming change, begging Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle to stay in the position.
This will not be the last time the community sees Dr. Battle. On Monday, the board approved the amendment of her contract to continue as a consultant to Dr. Johnson as he transitions into the new role.
One community member added that he may not understand the city because he is not from Atlanta.
Johnson held several town halls before he was voted in as the new superintendent.
Parents, teachers and students had the opportunity to ask him questions, raising concerns about the district's budget, literacy, and Johnson's plan for the future.
"We're going to do the work with a level of intention that ensures that our children, our teachers, our leaders are successful, but we are not overtaken by these," he previously stated. "The mission I told a group earlier today is that the main thing is the children; it's the children."
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Johnson comes to APS after leaving his appointed executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer position at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
He is a Nashville native with extensive experience in public education and corporate leadership; Johnson guided UTC’s strategic planning, according to the Atlanta Board of Education.
"Atlanta is a destination job, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board to ensure our students are prepared for their future," Johnson said.
Previously, he was chief transformation officer at U.S. Xpress Enterprises and served as superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. According to Mitchell, under his leadership at the school district, he launched the Future Ready Institutes and secured free high-speed internet for disadvantaged students during the pandemic.
According to the Atlanta Board of Education, he was recognized as the 2020 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year and a National Superintendent of the Year finalist.
Johnson holds degrees from Austin Peay State University and Belmont University and a doctorate from Trevecca University.
He will be officially sworn in on August 5.