Reynoldsburg City Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown has been selected as the next Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent.
Brown, who has served as superintendent of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, since 2017, was selected from four finalists, including Lawrence, Kansas, public schools superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis, KIPP, Texas, public schools deputy principal, Dr. Marla Sheppard and Griffin-Spalding. The Deputy Superintendent of Schools for the county (Georgia), Dr. Donald Warren.
Selma City Schools Dr. Avis Williams had been a finalist, but she withdrew after being selected as superintendent of schools in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Alabama Association of School Boards conducted board and community interviews before announcing the finalists in March. Community concerns included transparency. The board’s questions during the interview process focused on financial management, teacher accountability and how to make a smooth transition.
Brown was announced at a special school board meeting on Friday. The interviews had taken place earlier in the week and the week before.
Learn more about the MPS superintendent search:
Brown holds a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in Educational Studies, a Master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Educational Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the James Madison University.
He was a visiting professor at The Ohio State University; assistant superintendent of schools for the town of Cuyahoga Falls; director of human resources at Cuyahoga Falls City Schools; regional vice president at Mosaica Education, Inc.; associate director of ROSworks, LLC; Superintendent of Spotsylvania County Public Schools; Associate Superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools; Director/Supervisor of Multicultural Education in Prince William County Public Schools.
During public talks at a chamber of commerce event, Brown emphasized the theme of equity. He spoke about equity issues at his own school, recounting how gifted middle schoolers were all sent to a separate school. They struggled when they returned to traditional schools, so he eliminated separate schooling and put them through programs in their zone schools.
Brown said he was interested in having committees made up of students and teachers to better understand the feedback.
The next superintendent will enter the school system with many changes.
The MPS came out of state intervention in December, for financial shortcomings and achievements.
Five of the school board’s seven seats are up for re-election, with one incumbent, Jannah Bailey, choosing not to run again.
Concerns about the coronavirus remain and the school system will soon have ad calorim tax money.
Jemma Stephenson is a children’s and education reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at jstephenson@gannett.com or 334-261-1569.
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