NOLA Public Schools new superintendent

DEJA: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A CENTYUR, NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOL HA S NAMED THEIR FIRST FEMALE SUPERINTENDENT. DR. AVIS WILLIAMS IS SET TO TAKE OVER THIS SUMMER ON JULY 11. SHE JOINS US TODAY ALONG WITH ORLEANSCS HOOL BOARD PRESIDENT OLIN G. PARKER. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY. DR. WILLIAMS, WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT STEPPING INTO THE LERO OF SUPERINTENDENT OF NOLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS? >> I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT DIGGING IN AND LEARNING THE COMMUNITY. ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR SCHOOL LEADERS AND FAMILSIE, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CHURCH LEADERS, AND ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY. AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT CHALLENGES AND PRIORITIES. ALSO THE CELEBRATIONS SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN THE SCHOOL YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE. AS IOM CE INTO THE POSITION, IT IS A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE START OF SCHOOL. SUPER EXCITED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. DE:JA PRESIDENT PARKER, AFTERN A EXTENSIVE SEARCH, WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE GOALS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD? >> AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAD AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH PROCESS. WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE DR. WILLIAMS. WE HAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AT THE FINAL MEET AND GREET AND EVERYON’S’ SAID DR. WILLIAMISS THE BEST. THE SCHOOL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY AGREED. ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW IS MAKING SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING DR. WILLIAMS AS SHE DEVELOPS HER 100 DAY ANPL TO MAKE SURE SHE CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND BE SUCCESSFUL. THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC. WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO TRUANCY AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. OUR ROLE AS THE BOARD IS NOW THAT WE VEHA SELECTED THE SUPERINTENDENT, LET HER TAKE OVER AND EXECUTE HER VISION. DEJA: AS THE FIRST WOMAN, AND I HAVE TO MENTION, WOMAN OF COLOR IN THE 181 YEAR HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? >> CERTAINLY A SENSE OF PRIDE. IT IS 2022 AND SOMETIMES IT IS A LITTLE DISHEARTENING THAT WE ARE STILL HAVING SO MANY FIRSTS. BUT IT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE THEER NEED TO BE ROLE MODELS AND EXAMPLES FOR YOUNG LADSIE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT AND SEE, YOU CAN DO OR BE ANYTHING. FOR ME, THAT IS WHAT THIS SYMBOLIZES, THAT SENSE OF HOPE AND OPTIMISM FOR LITTLE GIRLS WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND THOSE WHO DO NOT. JUST TO KNOW THERE IS PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE FOR WOMEN TO LEAD AND SVEER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. DEJA:OU Y ARE DEFINITELY AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US. I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE WHAT COMES UP. WE THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

NOLA Public Schools new superintendent excited to begin role

Updated: 6:25 PM CDT May 17, 2022

The new superintendent for NOLA Public Schools spoke with WDSU Anchor Deja Brown about what she is most excited about for her new role. The Orleans Parish School Board unanimously voted to make Dr. Avis Williams the new superintendent for the district back in March. Williams is the first permanent female superintendent in New Orleans in more than 100 years.

SLIDELL, La. —

The new superintendent for NOLA Public Schools spoke with WDSU Anchor Deja Brown about what she is most excited about for her new role.

The Orleans Parish School Board unanimously voted to make Dr. Avis Williams the new superintendent for the district back in March.

Williams is the first permanent female superintendent in New Orleans in more than 100 years.