The Gwinnett County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting on July 30, 2021, to take the final steps in the process to name Dr. Calvin J. Watts as the next superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools. On July 15, Gwinnett School Board members unanimously named Dr. Watts as the sole finalist for the position. By law, the School Board had to wait a minimum of 14 days between announcing its finalist for the position of superintendent and making the appointment official.

The Board is scheduled to go into Executive Session at 5 p.m. at the district’s Instructional Support Center to discuss the superintendent’s contract. Once Executive Session concludes, the Board will transition to the Board Room and hold a public session to officially appoint and welcome Dr. Watts as the district’s new superintendent.

Dr. Watts is expected to be in attendance at the Board meeting on Friday afternoon and will be available after the vote for media interviews.

Brief Bio for Dr. Calvin J. Watts:

Dr. Watts joins Gwinnett having served as superintendent of Kent School District (KSD), the 5th largest and 2nd most diverse school district in Washington State. With more than 26,500 students, KSD also employs 3,600 staff members and operates a $450 million budget.

During the past six years, Dr. Watts developed a bold strategic planning process; maintained an intentional focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and improved organizational effectiveness so that all students may thrive. KSD’s four-year adjusted cohort graduation rates have risen to record levels for all students as a result.

Dr. Watts was a member of The Broad Academy Fellowship (2018-2019), and he has demonstrated a strong track record of success as an instructional, operational, and community leader. Before taking the position in Kent, Dr. Watts served in Gwinnett County Public Schools for 13 years in varied leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Dr. Watts is thrilled to re-establish residency in Georgia, and for his family to become rooted in the Gwinnett County community.