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Chapel Hill-Carrboro superintendent Dr. Naya Hamlet announces resignation; will remain through end of school year
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Naya Hamlet told the school board Feb. 3 she is resigning after four years, citing targeted attacks and threats to her family; she said she will remain in the role through the end of the school year and assist with a smooth transition.
Dr. Naya Hamlet, superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, announced Feb. 3 that she has submitted her resignation and will remain in the superintendent role through the end of the current school year.
In remarks to the board, Hamlet said the decision followed sustained personal attacks and threats to her family and that she is stepping back for the wellbeing of her children. "Since January of 2021, I've taken the Michelle Obama, when they go low, we go high approach to the false narratives, misogynoir, and personal attacks, the threats to the safety of my family and blatant attempts to undermine my leadership and my character," she said. "For over 20 years, I've made decisions in the best interest of thousands of children. And it's now time to make an unapologetic decision in the best interest of the three children that I gave birth to."
Hamlet thanked the board and district staff, said she was proud of district progress on equity and student success, and promised to support a "seamless transition" through the end of the school year. "Do not allow my personal decision to be a distraction or weaponized to halt the progress we've made. The students in this district do not have time to wait, so let's get back to work," she said.
Board members thanked Hamlet and acknowledged her continued service through the spring. Public commenters also honored Hamlet at the meeting: Diane Jackson, a retired district employee, presented a token of appreciation and praised Hamlet’s service to the community.
The board did not take any personnel action related to the resignation at the Feb. 3 meeting; Hamlet said she will remain in the position through the end of the school year and will assist with transition tasks during that time.
Why this matters: The superintendent is the district’s chief executive, and Hamlet’s planned departure before the next school year will require the board to manage a leadership transition while continuing district operations and the work Hamlet described as focused on equity and student success.
