Atlanta school board hires only finalist as next superintendent

The Atlanta school board has unanimously hired Bryan Johnson as the district’s next superintendent. Johnson, a Nashville native and former leader of Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, was named Tennessee Superintendent of the Year in 2021 and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year.

At 41, Johnson most recently held the position of executive vice chancellor and chief strategy officer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He will be sworn in on August 5, succeeding Interim Superintendent Danielle Battle, who will remain until the end of August to assist with the transition.

In his new role, Johnson aims to prioritize improving student performance in literacy, special education, math, and college and career preparation. “Atlanta is a destination job and I look forward to working collaboratively with the board to ensure our students are prepared for their future,” he said.

Johnson was announced as the sole finalist for the superintendent position on June 18. Following a state-mandated two-week vetting period, the board took three weeks to finalize their decision.