State board names superintendent of new Achievement School District

Hall currently works as president and chief executive of Communities in Schools of North Carolina, a nonprofit network that helps students in more than 300 schools statewide. The organization is known for its ability to reduce dropout rates in at-risk students, according to the state Department of Public Instruction.

Hall was chosen from among more than 60 applicants from across the country. He will make $150,000 a year in his new role.

The goal of the new Achievement School District is to take five of the state's lowest-performing public elementary schools and put them under new management. Outside entities, such as charter school operators, will take control of the schools and supervise, manage and operate them with the goal of improving their performance.

The schools have not yet been chosen. Hall will help select which schools will be part of the new district.

In a statement, Hall said he looks forward to taking his passion to the state education department to "build innovative solutions to education that bring communities together and propel students forward."

"I came to North Carolina because of my passion for students and ensuring success for each one regardless of their background or the barriers they face," Hall said. "During my time at Communities In Schools, we have worked to reach students in poverty, students in rural and urban communities and students in non-traditional school settings with innovative wraparound supports."

Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and State Board of Education Chairman Bill Cobey both released statements Thursday about Hall:

"North Carolina schools will benefit from Dr. Hall’s passion for students, teachers and building community partnerships," Johnson said. "Eric’s career focus has been centered on helping schools and students overcome challenges, and his leadership will be important in the years ahead."

"His success in working with students at risk and schools with high percentages of at-risk students will only benefit the new Achievement School District," Cobey said. "His proven ability to build partnerships will help this effort be successful."

Hall has more than 20 years of experience in education. He previously served as the National Director of Educational Services for AMIkids Inc., a nonprofit organization providing intervention services to youth in juvenile justice programs and non-traditional schools in nine states.

While at AMIkids, he developed and implemented strategies designed to accelerate student academic achievement in nontraditional settings. In his various leadership roles, he also built community partnerships and developed collaborative relationships between business and education to foster awareness and drive engagement to amplify student outcomes for all students.

Hall began his career as a teacher, then moved into school leadership before helping lead the implementation of education innovations, in Florida as well as in other states.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary science education, a master’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of South Florida. Student equity, innovation in non-traditional schools and school leadership are all topics that he has researched and written on for publication in academic journals and books.

A member of the NCWorks Commission’s executive committee, Hall also serves on the State Board of Education’s Whole Child NC Committee.

The State Board of Education also voted Thursday to name Claire Miller as director of human resources for the Department of Public Instruction. She previously worked as interim director and assistant human resources director at the department.