GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The Gwinnett County Public Schools Board of Education voted to release Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts from his contract.
The board for the state’s largest school district held a special called executive session on Friday morning.
Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was there as they voted 3-2 to terminate Watts’ contract, which was set to expire in July 2026. His contract will now expire in April 2025.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Watts became the first Black superintendent in the district’s history when he took over in 2021.
In 2023, parents were split on whether or not the board should renew Watts’ contract.
They cited several reasons from that school year to say it’s time for a change, including a 35% increase in fights, the murder of Norcross High School student DeAndre Henderson near campus, and a controversial discipline policy that focused on “restorative practices” over tribunals.
At that time, the board voted 4-1 to give Watts a two-year contract extension.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Rapper YFN Lucci released from GA prison
- GA school district closing buildings to deep clean after ‘excessive’ norovirus, flu absences
- House of horrors: Girls, 15, being trafficked for sex rescued by Griffin police
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
