DeKalb Schools: Chief of staff will report to school board in new role

Ramona Tyson, chief of staff for the DeKalb County School District, has taken a new job with the district, where she will report to the school board.

The new position, executive administrator, is part of a reorganization plan approved by the DeKalb Board of Education at its meeting on Sept. 10. The reorganization is effective immediately, but the role switch will take place at a mutually agreed-upon time.

District officials have not said when Tyson will begin her new position.

DeKalb County Board of Education member Joyce Morley said Friday she was excited to begin working closer with Tyson. She added that the move was something Tyson wanted, saying she has been the “backbone” of the school district for nearly a decade.

"She's the reason we got full accreditation back," Morley said, crediting Tyson for her role in steering the district from a $14 million deficit and administrative mismanagement.

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The plan would take effect when a new elementary school opens in 2019.

According to the job description, the person will be “responsible for assisting the (DeKalb Board of Education) in accomplishing its policy goals, managing the board office team, and negotiating high stakes political, policy, programmatic, and development initiatives, with the goal of accomplishing the (district) mission, “To inspire our community of learners to achieve educational excellence.”

The former office administrator position is being reclassified to accommodate the move. The former position states a pay range of $59,137.38 to $80,381.68.

Salary range for the new position is still being determined. Tyson currently makes $178,115. Because she is under contract with the school district, her salary may not change until the end of the current fiscal year.

Tyson, who has been with the district more than 30 years, has previously served as interim superintendent, among other titles.

Tyson's leaving the superintendent's cabinet comes as Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley leaves the district for the city of Atlanta, where he will hold the same position.

About the Author

Marlon A. Walker

Marlon A. Walker is an education reporter covering DeKalb County.

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