DeKalb County School District Selects Next Superintendent

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – DeKalb County School District announced Thursday it has selected a new superintendent, who will assume the role on July 1.

The board voted 6-1 to appoint Cheryl Watson-Harrison as the next superintendent for a three-year contract. Watson-Harrison will paid an annual base salary of $325,000.

She was named the sole finalist in the board's search for a new superintendent on June 4 and spent the past two weeks participating in virtual meetings with employees, community members and public officials to discuss her experience, work style and vision for the district, according to a release on the school district's website.

"The community's passion for student success was palpable in each meeting I had, and I want to thank everyone who engaged with me," Watson-Harrison said in a prepared statement. "It is encouraging to see an abundance of support for the important work ahead, and I am excited to get started."

Watson-Harrison currently works for the New York City Department of Education and previously served as a principal for Boston Public Schools. She is the youngest person ever named to a principal position at Boston Public Schools, according to the release.

She received her undergraduate degree from Marymount College and a master's degree in education from Harvard University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at New York University's Steinhardt School for a degree in educational leadership and innovation.