Atkinson Named Dekalb Superintendent

Finally, the DeKalb County School System has a new superintendent.

In a 6-3 vote today, Cheryl Atkinson, currently superintendent of the Lorain, Ohio school district, was named to the top spot over the system of about 100,000 students.

Atkinson will take the reins Sept. 15.

"We're moving forward," said DeKalb Board of Education member Donna Edler, representing District 7. "I'm happy we've made this decision and now we can move forward on academic achievement and closing that achivement gap."

Edler said she was most impressed with Atkinson's "focus on teaching and learning, her focus on keeping the succcss of children first regardess of some of the challenges we face." Atkinson outlined some of her vision for the schools during a Meet and Greet Saturday before about 200 in attendance.

Three board members voted no: Nancy Jester, Don McChesney and Pamela Speaks.

Jester, representing District 1, said she is ready to move on and assist Atkinson in any way she can.

"I will make every effert to ensure the success of Dr. Atkinson," Jester said. "I will welcome her and give her the clarity of my perspective, as I see things. I am dedicated to whoever sits in that seat."

"All our problems are fixable," Jester said. "We won't be perfect, but we can do far better than we are. That's what we're going to work for."

Listen to Cheryl Atkinson's response to a question at her recent Meet and Greet, and learn more about her vision for DeKalb Schools here.