Clarke County residents will not have to wait any longer for a new school superintendent. Board members voted Tuesday night to appoint Dr. Xernona Thomas to run the district’s schools.
As the new interim superintendent, she will replace the outgoing Demond Means. Dr. Thomas has been sitting in as Chief of Staff while Means has been on administrative leave.
“Our goal has consistently been to focus on student needs and to focus on equity and the growth of all our students and that’s what we’re going to continue to be about is focusing on the work,” according to Thomas. “It’s been a difficult time for our district and I just hope that my commitment to Clarke County will help to provide some stability while we work through whatever the transition and its stages are.”
Dr. Thomas has been with the system for nearly 20 years.
After about an hour spent in executive session, the board voted unanimously in favor of Dr. Thomas. The meeting, which began at 6 pm, was ajourned shortly after 7:30.
Protestors were present at the start of the meeting who were seeking the reinstatement of Dr. Means. They held signs in a silent protest at the back of the room.
