A top official in Denver Public Schools is the finalist to lead Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), in California.
Assistant superintendent Antwan Wilson, who led the turnaround efforts at Denver’s Montbello High School, has headed up college and career readiness initiatives for the district. His nomination will go before the Oakland school board on April 23rd.
“Antwan Wilson is an extraordinary leader,” said DPS’ superintendent Tom Boasberg, in a press release from the Oakland press office. “He is a thoughtful and caring advocate for educational equity, and he is an inspiring leader who sets high expectations for all students and then works tirelessly to ensure they have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.”
Montbello High School, which is now in the final stages of being phased out and replaced with three smaller programs, has been a lightning rod for controversy over Denver’s reforms. Wilson, who had moved from the school’s principalship to a district leadership role, was involved with the contentious community process that led to the decision to close the school.
For more on his potential new role, see the press release from OUSD.