Columbus schools superintendent focused on literacy, teacher and student safety | #hacking | #aihp

Angela Chapman, superintendent for Columbus City Schools — and finalist for the permanent role. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus City Schools)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With just over a week left in the school year, the new superintendent of Columbus City Schools has her eyes set on safety, scholarship and student success while school’s out for summer.

In her first media appearance since being selected for the top role, Angela Chapman highlighted her — and the district’s — priorities for the coming months. With the district focused on early literacy and teacher recruitment and development, Chapman will also have to deal with community concerns about safety and communication as she eases into her permanent position.

As the district continues its literacy improvement plan — including the distribution of 15,000 literacy kits for at-home use during the summer — Chapman acknowledged that the issue at the “top of mind” for her and other administrators is safety.

“I am as concerned as all of you are about the safety of our students, whether they’re in the community or in our schools,” Chapman said.

The Columbus school board named Chapman superintendent last week after a two-month search for Talisa Dixon’s replacement. Chapman was one of three finalists out of 31 applicants.