Superintendent to step down in January

Superintendent Adams (right) working with an Albany High student in a classroom

City School District of Albany Board of Education President Vickie Smith announced Tuesday that Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams has shared her intent to retire from the district in January. 

“Superintendent Adams has been a transformational leader for our school district – the right person at the right time to lead us on our journey toward equity,” Smith said. “She is one of the hardest-working, focused professionals I have had the privilege to work with.

“The board and district will miss her leadership, her experience and her expertise, and we are confident that she has established a strong foundation for our students’ continued success.”

A native of Shreveport, La., Adams is in her sixth school year in Albany following nearly three decades in Clark County, Nev., which includes Las Vegas and is the nation’s fifth-largest school district. 

During Adams’ tenure in Albany, the district has focused on five primary goals: 

  • Increasing student achievement; 
  • Enhancing the delivery of quality instruction; 
  • Building leadership capacity and increasing accountability; 
  • Empowering families; and 
  • Partnering with the city’s diverse community.  

Under her leadership, collectively with faculty, staff and administrators, Albany High School’s graduation rate increased from 65% to 82%, the school’s highest rate since the state began measuring graduation using its current methodology in 2005. 

In addition, the district adopted its first Equity in Education Policy and established processes for embedding those principles throughout the work of the district. 

“I am so grateful to our Board of Education, our faculty, staff, administrators and the entire Albany community for this amazing opportunity to serve the scholars and families of this great school district,” Adams said. 

Adams has accepted another position in the field of education following her retirement as Albany’s superintendent. 

“The future is bright and filled with possibilities as I move to the next chapter of my life and continue my passion and purpose in this work,” she said.

Adams will continue to serve as superintendent until early January. The board will identify an interim superintendent to lead the district starting in January and will initiate a comprehensive search process to appoint a permanent replacement, Smith said.