The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education selected Dr. Pamela Baldwin to take over as superintendent, and replace interim superintendent Dr. Jim Causby.

Baldwin said as the new superintendent she plans to continue to facilitate the district equity plan already in place. The plan includes pillars for the district, schools and faculty that all include celebrating community engagement and working to make sure each student gets an equal education.

“I believe that we are very much aligned,” Baldwin said. “My feelings and the core values of the board and district as it relates to equity and making sure that our passion for children is strong.”

Baldwin has already worked on plans similar to this as superintendent for Asheville City Schools, where she has worked since 2014. She said she implemented growth mindset there, which means encouraging people or students to take on challenges, persevere in the face of setbacks and become more effective learners.

She said she’s excited to employ this strategy at CHCCS.

“Growth mindset is something that’s exciting for me,” she said. “Because it’s a passion and I want to continue the plan that’s in place and address the needs and the concerns of our community.”

The CHCCS Board of Education held multiple open forums while searching for a new superintendent, and sent out surveys to parents, encouraging community members to speak up about what they hope to see in a leader. An issue that often came up was equity in schools and the achievement gap.

Baldwin said she’s looking forward to taking this next step, but hopes Causby will help her with the transition period, so that she can be the best superintendent possible.

“He is a fantastic human being,” she said. “And a fantastic superintendent, and I am honored to hopefully have some mentorship from him and friendship and a great transition.”

Baldwin is finishing her contract with Asheville City Schools and will take over for Causby with a three-year contract for CHCCS beginning in April.