Dr. Nyah Hamlett is the new superintendent for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system. (Photo via Loudoun County Public Schools.)
Dr. Nyah Hamlett is set to become the latest superintendent for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system.
The CHCCS Board of Education unanimously approved Hamlett’s hiring and contract during Monday night’s specially-called Board of Education meeting.
Hamlett currently serves as the chief of staff for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. She is described as a key strategic advisor to the superintendent and other members of the superintendent’s cabinet. Hamlett also began her career in education as a special education teacher.
“I’m genuinely excited to work closely alongside each of you to redefine CHCCS and build on the excellence that currently exists with a continuous improvement mindset,” said Hamlett during her introduction Monday. “My family and I are so excited to be members of the CHCCS family and I really look forward to building a culture of love with high expectations.”
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district said the board reviewed applications from 36 applicants from 14 different states and territories. Board members said Monday they selected Hamlett based on her relationship-building, communication skills and focus on equity.
Hamlett faces some significant challenges as she takes up the new job. She’ll have to lead a system that, for the last year, has faced criticism about financial irregularities, policy violations and lack of transparency from leaders. Dr. Pam Baldwin, the district’s previous superintendent, resigned in April after serving three years in the position. Prior to her resignation, the CHCCS system came under fire for its financial irregularities and lack of transparency. An external review conducted this summer found several violations of board policies on spending with contractors and companies.
Additionally, Hamlett will begin her tenure with district students working remotely and slowly moving into a Plan B model of learning with the return of in-person instruction, which interim superintendent Dr. Jim Causby has been orchestrating.
With the district currently conducting all meetings and most teaching virtually due to COVID-19, typical meet-and-greets with Hamlett will be scheduled in the future. But the new superintendent made a promise to the CHCCS community she has plans to still begin establishing relationships long before things return to normal.
“I just want to assure you,” Hamlett said, “the senior staff and I will not allow a pandemic or anything else to stop us from making connections with each of you and bringing a personal touch into classrooms across the district…. so that we can work together to develop programs and curriculum with culturally relevant student experiences and student voice at the forefront.”
Hamlett earned her doctorate of education from The College of William and Mary with a specialty in policy, planning and leadership. She has worked in Virginia’s public education system for more than 16 years and been with Loudoun County Public Schools since 2019.
The CHCCS school board approved a $226,000 annual contract for the new superintendent with the opportunity for various outside employment that “does not interfere with the Superintendent’s performance of her duties.”
Hamlett will start her position on January 1, 2021.
Featured image via the Town of Chapel Hill.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
