The Atlanta Board of Education held a special called meeting on Monday, July 7, to extend the contract of Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson.
The board voted unanimously to extend Johnson’s contract by one year, through July 6, 2028. Johnson’s original contract ends in 2027.
Since assuming the role of superintendent last August, Johnson has led the district through a period of significant transformation, according to a press release.
Under his leadership, the district implemented a “Back to Basics” approach, which included new school leaders, streamlining the curriculum to align with state testing standards, and adopting a district-wide literacy curriculum, along with continued training and support in the science of reading.
“Dr. Johnson’s leadership has brought a renewed sense of focus, urgency, and strategic clarity to Atlanta Public Schools,” Board Chair Erika Y. Mitchell said in a statement. “His commitment to student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and equity aligns with the values of our community.”
Most recently, the district launched the 2025-2030 Strategic Planning Process aimed at shaping the district’s long-term vision and priorities, including improving student outcomes in literacy, math, and college and career readiness and raising the average annual salary of an Atlanta Public Schools teacher to $100,000.
APS also successfully closed a $100 million budget deficit in the face of a challenging financial landscape, according to the press release.
“I am incredibly grateful to the Atlanta Board of Education for their continued trust and confidence in the work we’ve begun together,” Johnson said in a statement. “It is a privilege to serve Atlanta’s Public Schools’ students, families, and staff. As a community of believers, we will remain focused on getting back to the basics and improving student achievement while being innovative and positioning our students to thrive after graduation. We have significant opportunities and decisions ahead that collectively we will solve. Atlanta and its public schools have a history of doing big things. The time is now—Let’s get to work.”
