Henry County has tapped a familiar face of more than 20 years to be its interim superintendent of schools: Carl Knowlton.
The district’s Board of Education on Tuesday named Knowlton, a former chief of staff for departing Henry Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis, to lead the south metro Atlanta education system of about 44,000 students.
“I began my career journey as a fifth grade teacher,” Knowlton, who will be the first African American to lead the district, said in a news release. “Over nearly three decades in the classroom, the principal’s office, and the district office, I’ve learned the importance of positively connecting with school board members, employees, families, businesses, elected officials, and most importantly students.
“We will continue to ensure that exceptional academic outcomes for all students are not by chance, but an expectation across Henry County Schools,” he said.
The appointment comes as the district prepares its next steps after Davis was named last week superintendent of Cherokee County Schools in a 4-3 vote. Davis’ resignation from Henry will go into effect after her last day March 6. (Davis has said that her start date in Cherokee will be announced soon.)
“It has been an honor to serve for the young people in this community for almost seven years,” Davis said at Tuesday’s board meeting. “Students, you are brilliant. You are built for amazing impact in this world and you belong in Henry County.”
Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Henry school board Chairwoman Sophe Pope said her colleagues will begin reviewing external search firms at its next meeting and open the application process up in the spring. In addition, she promised a permanent leader will be in place for the 2024-2025 school year and that information on the process will be posted on the district’s website in the coming weeks.
Knowlton has been with the district since 2002, serving first as an assistant principal at the then-Henry County Middle and later at Austin Road Elementary. He was Davis’ chief of staff for three years before moving to human resources in 2021 to become the department’s leader.
The selection of the district’s first Black leader was not lost on board members, who said it reflects the changing demographics of the once rural, mostly white community. In Henry, the second fastest-growing county in metro Atlanta, the Black population made up about 54% of its roughly 250,000 residents in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In addition, about 63% of Henry’s students are Black, according to Georgia Department of Education figures.
“What so many people will see next month is something that will not only be historic, but will be transcending,” board member Makenzie McDaniel said of Knowlton.
Board Vice Chairwoman Annette Edwards agreed. Overcome with emotion, she said she was having chills just thinking about the impact of his appointment.
“I’m so full right now because you are the first person of color to lead this district, even though it’s interim,” she said. “This is a monumental moment for you and for us, just like it was a monumental moment for me last year to be elected the first African American chair.”
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