Urban Schools Shift Into High Gear As New School Year Begins

The Nation's Voice for Urban Education

September 2024 • Vol. 34 No. 6

www.cgcs.org

Initiating cell phone bans and new safety measures, providing mental health supports, and increasing parent engagement are just some of the offerings in big-city school districts for the 2024-25 school year. Here’s a city-by-city roundup of what’s new: (Photo by Des Moines Public Schools)

New Superintendents in Atlanta and East Baton Rouge

Atlanta Public Schools is beginning the new school year with a new leader at the helm. The district selected Bryan Johnson to take the reins of the 50,000-student school system.

Oakland Superintendent Receives Contract Extension

Kyla Johnson-Trammell, who has led California’s Oakland Unified School District since 2017, has won a three-year contract renewal.

Fall Conference to Feature Political Analyst Chuck Todd

As the nation gears up for the 2024 elections, urban educators will hear from one of the nation’s most prominent political analysts, Chuck Todd, when he addresses the Council of the Great City Schools’ 68th Annual Fall Conference, Oct.16-20 in Dallas.

Providence and Clark County Make Progress in Reducing Absenteeism

When a student at George J. West Elementary in Providence, R.I., had trouble catching the bus due to crossing a busy street, the school’s principal suggested relocating the bus stop to make it safer and more accessible.

Several Urban School Districts Awarded Department of Energy Grants

Miami-Dade County Public Schools was recently awarded a $15 million 2024 Renew America’s School Prize and Grant from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE). The grant aims to make building upgrades that decrease energy costs and improve indoor air quality in aging schools.

Detroit School Receives Library Makeover

Four years ago, when Adrian Johnson became principal of Mason Academy in Detroit, the school had an F ranking in the statewide system that assigns A-F letter grades based on the schools’ academic performance.

Legislative Column

After historic events this summer drew the nation and electorate’s attention to the presidential campaign, Congress has returned from its August recess for a brief September session before it soon adjourns until after the November elections.

Upcoming Events

68th Annual Fall Conference

When:

October 16 - October 20, 2024

Where:

Sheraton Dallas Hotel

Dallas, TX

Executive Director

Ray Hart

Editor

Tonya Harris

tharris@cgcs.org

Staff Writer

Joanne Coley

jcoley@cgcs.org

Staff Writer

Kalin Hicks

khicks@cgcs.org

Chair

Marcia Andrews

Board Member, Palm Beach

Chair-elect

Sonja Brookins Santelises

CEO, Baltimore

Secretary-Treasurer

Valerie Davis

Board Member, Fresno

A newsletter published by the Council of the Great City Schools, representing 78 of the nation’s largest urban public school districts. Click here to learn more. All news items should be submitted to Tonya Harris (tharris@cgcs.org).