Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent/CEO Search

Dr. Estrella has more than two decades of experience in public education and has served as superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut since 2020. She has led districtwide efforts focused on student achievement, educator support, and strategic planning.

Her leadership includes strengthening instructional programs, building strong leadership teams, and working closely with families and community partners to support student success. The Board believes her experience leading complex school systems and her focus on teaching and learning align well with the needs of Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Through the national search process, several strengths stood out in Dr. Estrella’s leadership:

• Student-centered leadership with a strong focus on improving student outcomes and preparing students for success after graduation.
• Strategic planning and system improvement, including leading districtwide initiatives that align academic programs, leadership development, and community engagement.
• Experience leading complex school systems, working with diverse communities, educators, and leadership teams to drive improvement.
• Commitment to collaboration, including engaging families, staff, and community partners in shaping district priorities.
• A national reputation for supporting opportunity and success for all students, recognized through professional leadership honors and service in public education.

The Board believes these strengths position Dr. Estrella to help Gwinnett County Public Schools continue its progress and support the success of every student.

Community input was an important part of the search process. Surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions were conducted with students, families, staff, and community members.

The feedback gathered through these opportunities helped define the leadership qualities and priorities used by the Board to evaluate candidates throughout the national search.

Yes. Once appointed by the Board, GCPS will share opportunities for staff, families, and community members to meet Dr. Estrella during the transition period before she officially begins her role as superintendent. These opportunities will allow the community to learn more about her leadership and priorities for the district.

Georgia law requires school boards to publicly name up to three finalists at least 14 days before taking final action to appoint a superintendent.

It is common to announce only one finalist since many highly qualified candidates are currently serving in leadership roles and may not apply if the process allows their candidacy to become public before a finalist is selected.

All candidates who advanced in the superintendent search process participated in a thorough and rigorous screening process. Working with Alma Advisory Group, the Board ensured that each candidate was carefully vetted through multiple steps, including leadership background review, professional reference checks, and in-depth competency-based interviews designed to assess experience, leadership approach, and ability to lead a large and complex school system.

This comprehensive due diligence helped the Board evaluate each candidate’s leadership record, professional integrity, and readiness to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Schools continue operating normally, and the district remains focused on strong teaching and learning, safe and supportive schools, and student success.

The leadership transition is designed to ensure continuity and allow the next superintendent to build on the strong work already underway across Gwinnett County Public Schools.

Georgia law requires at least 14 days between the announcement of a sole finalist and the Board vote to appoint a superintendent.

During this time, the community can learn more about the finalist while the Board continues preparing for the final vote. The Gwinnett County Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the superintendent appointment on March 25, 2026.

The search firm serves as a strategic partner to the GCPS Board of Education throughout the superintendent selection process. Alma Advisory Group will facilitate community engagement, synthesize stakeholder feedback, develop the job profile, conduct a national recruitment campaign, screen candidates, design the selection process and screening activities, and provide guidance and facilitated support to help the Board identify and select the best leader for Gwinnett County Public Schools.

The national search, led by the GCPS Board of Education in partnership with executive search firm, Alma Advisory Group, consists of four phases: 

• Phase 1 - Community Engagement (Completed mid-October 2024)  
• Phase 2 - Job Profile and Recruitment
• Phase 3 -  Interviews and Screening Activities
• Phase 4 - Candidate selection and offer made

The community engagement activities concluded in mid-October. The Alma Advisory Group is in the process of summarizing and synthesizing the qualitative and quantitative data and will return to present the findings to the GCPS Board of Education in November. The Board will discuss the implications for the job profile and review and finalize the job profile for posting and advertising the position.

In November,  the Alma Advisory Group will present the key findings from the community engagement phase, including major themes from stakeholder input, desired qualifications and characteristics for the next superintendent, priorities and challenges identified by the community, and recommendations for the job profile.

The formal opportunities to provide input have concluded. However, you can continue to share feedback and input directly with us at  GCPSSuptSearch@gcpsk12.org.

The Board of Education is leading a transparent and inclusive search process focused on excellence. All Board meetings and work sessions related to the search are publicly noticed and open to the community unless specific candidate names or personnel matters are being discussed. The Board follows all Georgia Open Meetings and Open Records laws throughout the selection process.

The Board will begin designing the screening process after the job profile is completed and recruitment begins.  Details about finalist interview rounds and community engagement opportunities will be announced as the search progresses.

Stay connected with all GCPS online platforms and the official superintendent search webpage for updates. Additionally, you can find information on the GCPS Board of Education social media platforms here: 

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

We encourage you to engage your board members via email at MySchoolBoard@gcpsk12.org or individually here.