Atlanta’s interest in Watts is a ‘compliment’

Gwinnett school board member Tarece Johnson-Morgan, who voted alone last year against extending Watts’ contract in Gwinnett, said Thursday that her participation in the APS search was “a complete shock.” .

“I did not know. I was really surprised by the news, and I know we’ve also made it clear many times that part of what we would prefer, what we need, from our superintendent is communication before it reaches the media,” she said.

On June 12, Watts told Gwinnett families and employees in a letter that although he had been approached by a research firm working for APS and met with district leaders, he would “continue to serve” in the Gwinnett County Public Schools.

“We are making tremendous progress on our strategic plan to provide every student with the education they need and deserve. Therefore, I wish that we continue our work together as a GCPS team,” he wrote.

Although he was seated alongside board members at the same long table Thursday, Watts did not intervene during their conversation about his job prospects.

Board member Adrienne Simmons said it would have been “helpful” if a board spokesperson had commented on the situation.

Knudsen said he wasn’t surprised by Atlanta’s interest in the Gwinnett leader.

“Even though I didn’t see or hear about the article before it came out, I wasn’t shocked. Actually, I think in some ways, from my perspective, it’s a compliment that other districts want to have a successful superintendent who has moved their district in the right direction,” Knudsen said.

He added: “That the APS would try to find a successful candidate nearby is not a surprise to me at all. And I’m thrilled that Dr. Watts has discovered that his heart is still in Gwinnett. I look forward to building on that.

The Atlanta school board announced this week that it had selected Bryan Johnson, former superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in Tennessee, as its sole finalist for the superintendent position.