Dr. Nyah Hamlett is set to become the latest superintendent for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system. Full article in Chapelboro.
The CHCCS Board of Education unanimously approved Hamlett’s hiring and contract during Monday night’s specially-called Board of Education meeting.
Hamlett currently serves as the chief of staff for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. She is described as a key strategic advisor to the superintendent and other members of the superintendent’s cabinet. Hamlett also began her career in education as a special education teacher.
“I’m genuinely excited to work closely alongside each of you to redefine CHCCS and build on the excellence that currently exists with a continuous improvement mindset,” said Hamlett during her introduction Monday. “My family and I are so excited to be members of the CHCCS family and I really look forward to building a culture of love with high expectations.”
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district said the board reviewed applications from 36 applicants from 14 different states and territories. Board members said Monday they selected Hamlett based on her relationship-building, communication skills and focus on equity.
Hamlett faces some significant challenges as she takes up the new job. She’ll have to lead a system that, for the last year, has faced criticism about financial irregularities, policy violations and lack of transparency from leaders. Dr. Pam Baldwin, the district’s previous superintendent, resigned in April after serving three years in the position. Prior to her resignation, the CHCCS system came under fire for its financial irregularities and lack of transparency. An external review conducted this summer found several violations of board policies on spending with contractors and companies.
Additionally, Hamlett will begin her tenure with district students working remotely and slowly moving into a Plan B model of learning with the return of in-person instruction, which interim superintendent Dr. Jim Causby has been orchestrating.
Hamlett will start her position on January 1, 2021. Full article written by Brighton McConnell, Chapelboro Nov 23, is here.