Fulton School Board Names Interim Superintendent

The Fulton County School Board tonight tapped Kenneth Zeff to serve as the school system’s interim superintendent, starting June 2.

The announcement comes just a week after current Superintendent Robert Avossa was chosen as the new leader for the School District of Palm Beach County in Florida.

• RELATED: Robert Avossa Chosen To Lead Florida School System

Zeff joined the Fulton County School System in 2012 as its chief strategy and innovation officer. In this role he provides direction for the development and execution of the school system’s overall strategy to improve student achievement throughout the district. Departments under the Division of Strategy and Innovation include School Governance and Flexibility, Start-up Charter Schools, Grant Development, Accountability, Research and Program Evaluation and the Fulton Education Foundation.

Zeff’s division also oversees two of Fulton County Schools’ main focuses, execution of the strategic plan and implementation of the charter system model. Granted by the Georgia Department of Education in 2012, the charter model is a governance framework that provides an authentic decision making role for teachers, parents, community members and students. Charter system status provides the district more flexibility from many one-size-fits-all state education requirements and supports schools in developing innovative strategies that support their students’ unique needs.

“Ken Zeff has the experience and expertise to help Fulton County Schools build on our steady growth in student achievement,” said School Board President Linda McCain. “Both the strategic plan and the charter system model are delivering excellent results by empowering schools to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students. We have full confidence that he is ideally suited to implement the Board’s vision to deepen the impact of our charter system model.”

Previously Chief Operating Officer of Green Dot Public Schools, an award winning charter management organization in Los Angeles, Zeff is experienced in leading school systems with an emphasis on local control. In addition, he has served as a senior consultant for policy development with the U.S. Department of Education and as a special assistant to the deputy superintendent of San Diego City Schools. He also has served as a White House Fellow in the President’s Office of Management of Budget.

Zeff holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Although he officially becomes interim superintendent on June 2, he will continue working closely with Avossa prior to his departure to ensure a smooth transition.

Photo credit: Fulton County Schools