The superintendent of the Indianapolis school system has been chosen to lead Washington, D.C., Public Schools.
The Washington Post reports that Lewis D. Ferebee, who has served for five years as superintendent in Indiana’s largest school system, will be the sixth permanent school leader in Washington, D.C., since 2000.
The appointment must be approved by the D.C. Council.
Ferebee, who would be paid $280,000 a year as schools chancellor, would take over a system that continues to struggle with a wide gap in achievement between more affluent students and those from low-income families.
“We’re obviously not at a point where we are ready to run a victory lap,” Ferebee said at a news conference. “But we do have a steady foundation that we can build upon.”
Ferebee was one of two finalists for the job. The other candidate was Amanda Alexander, who has been with the city’s schools for two decades. Alexander was named interim chancellor in February.
The previous chancellor, Antwan Wilson, resigned under pressure in February after city leaders revealed he bypassed the competitive school placement system to transfer his daughter to a high-performing high school.
