Savannah Standard

Dr. Denise Watts has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, marking her as the 25th individual to hold this position. The decision was made during a Special Called Board Meeting on June 15, 2023, and she will officially assume her duties on July 1, 2023.

Board members expressed their support for Dr. Watts while acknowledging the contributions of her predecessor, Dr. Ann Levett. District Eight Board Representative Dr. Tonia Howard-Hall remarked, “I believe you've got the qualifications to build on the progress that Dr. Levett has made.” Dr. Levett extended a warm welcome to Dr. Watts and offered her continued support from a different capacity.

Roger Moss, board president, called for the vote which resulted in unanimous approval for Dr. Watts's appointment. He stated afterward, “This is what teamwork looks like. It's unanimous!” before inviting Dr. Watts to share her thoughts.

Dr. Watts addressed those present by saying, “I am honored and excited about the privilege of being able to serve as Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools next superintendent." She expressed gratitude towards the board for their confidence and emphasized her commitment to delivering quality education: "I promise and commit to you that each and every day, I will rise in the morning and give you 100%."

Before this appointment, Denise Watts served as Chief of Schools at Houston Independent School District where she managed magnet schools and supervised principals among other responsibilities across 274 schools serving over 194,000 students. Her prior roles include Chief of District Support at University of Virginia's Partnership for Leaders in Education where she helped school districts improve student outcomes through innovation.

Additionally, Watts led Project L.I.F.T (Leadership and Investment for Transformation) within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools aimed at accelerating student achievement in economically disadvantaged areas using Opportunity Culture model strategies under budget constraints which positively impacted both student performance as well teacher recruitment retention development efforts.

In recognition of her leadership capabilities earlier career achievements include being named North Carolina’s NASSP Middle Level Principal Year (2008), leading Mint Hill Middle School becoming National School Watch during first year principalship; also participating CMS’s Strategic Staffing initiative placing top leaders teachers challenged schools nationally recognized turnaround effort (2019).