Schools

APS Associate Superintendent to Return to Private Sector

Steve Smith has served the students of Atlanta as the second-ranking executive since Superintendent Erroll Davis was appointed in 2011.

Patch Staff Report

Steve Smith, associate superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (APS), will resign effective June 30, to return to the private sector. He has served the students of Atlanta as the second-ranking executive since Superintendent Erroll Davis was appointed in 2011.

Smith is credited with providing executive oversight of the district’s daily operations, collaborating with the superintendent to stabilize and rebuild the school system following a national test cheating crisis and cultivating productive staff-board relations as the administration’s primary point of contact to the Atlanta Board of Education.

Smith has also leveraged local and national opportunities as the district’s spokesperson and leader of the enterprisewide communications, external affairs and innovation functions. In addition, Smith assumed temporary oversight of the day-to-day operations of the district’s technology department as the interim chief information officer.

Among other accomplishments reached during Smith’s tenure are managing the district’s most extensive redistricting in 10 years; re-engaging stakeholders and partners during a challenging transition; and creating an innovation office that yielded the board’s approval of three additional charter schools, continuing APS’ position as the school system with the largest number of start-up charter schools in Georgia. Prior to joining APS, Smith previously served as vice president of corporate responsibility for the Turner Broadcasting System. As APS transitions to Dr. Meria Carstarphen’s leadership, Smith will remain a consultant to her and the board through December 2014. 

Find out what's happening in Midtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“As my right hand, Steve has helped to shepherd Atlanta Public Schools through a difficult transition,” said Superintendent Erroll Davis in a statement. “His combined experience in education and business has been invaluable.  As he returns to the private sector, I am confident that he will continue to be an asset to APS, and a champion for education.”


Find out what's happening in Midtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Midtown