Incoming APS Principals
Tracie Astin, South Atlanta High, School of Computer Animation & Design
Betsy Bockman, Inman Middle
Amia Burnette, Bethune Elementary
Charlotte Davis, South Atlanta High, School of Law & Social Justice
Patricia Ford, South Atlanta High, School of Health & Medical Science
Laryn Nelson, Young Middle
Thalise Perry, Miles Elementary
Cheryl Twyman, Fickett Elementary
Mario Watkins, Bunche Middle
The next leaders of Atlanta Public Schools are beginning to be put in place as incoming superintendent Meria Carstarphen prepares to take control.
Carstarphen recruited five senior administrators from her previous job as the superintendent in Austin, Texas, and she signed off on nine new school principals.
The Atlanta Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of these first 14 high-level employees during Monday’s board meeting.
“I want to be ready on Day One to serve our 50,000 APS students,” Carstarphen said in a statement. “We all know that APS requires some heavy lifting, and I am excited to put a team in place that can provide leadership and execution in the review of major structures in the organization including curriculum instruction, operations, finance, recruitment and an assessment of the district’s needs and priorities.”
Executives hired include a senior accountability officer and another top-level staffer whose role remains uncertain.
Bill Caritj, the chief performance officer in Austin, will become responsible for accountability in Atlanta, a new position Carstarphen has said is needed to ensure the integrity of testing and data.
Pamela Hall was executive director of human resources in Austin, but it hadn’t been determined what position she will handle in Atlanta. The city school system’s current chief human resources officer is Ron Price.
Carstarphen is already working for Atlanta Public Schools during a two-month transition before she takes over daily oversight of the school district July 7.
“We want to be able to give her an opportunity to have a running start,” said school board chairman Courtney English after Monday’s vote.
Carstarphen’s three other administration hires are Skye Duckett, a senior human resources officer; Timothy Gadson, a curriculum and instruction officer; and Tammie Workman, a curriculum and instruction officer.
The principal hirings fill nearly half of the district’s 19 openings for school leaders.
Superintendent Erroll Davis, who plans to retire this summer, said Carstarphen met with all of the principals before they were hired.
About the Author
