On July 15, the members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education voted 5-0 to approve Dr. Calvin Watts—a former GCPS school leader and assistant superintendent—as its sole finalist for superintendent. Dr. Watts has most recently served as Superintendent of Kent School District in Washington. After the announcement, Dr. Watts joined the meeting virtually. In his remarks, Dr. Watts said he considered his tenure as a leader in Gwinnett as a highlight of his career, touting many things he learned during his 13 years in GCPS. He spoke of the great legacy that retiring superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks is leaving and said he looks forward to leading GCPS into its next chapter. In saying how humbled and honored he is to be named as the district’s next leader, he shared his motto, which is to “reach and teach all students as if they had his last name.”
Dr. Watts serves 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 is 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. Dr. Watts also served in Gwinnett County Public Schools for 13 years in varied leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Even more, Dr. Watts is thrilled to re-establish residency in Georgia, and for his family to become rooted in the Gwinnett County community.