Episode 146. Donna Hargens – Former Superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)-(2011-2017)

Donna Hargens is an experienced educator and former Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) superintendent in Louisville, Kentucky, the largest school district in the state.

She was the superintendent from 2011 to 2017, overseeing a district with more than 100,000 students.

Background and Education:

Hargens brought a wealth of experience to her role at JCPS, having previously served as the chief academic officer for Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina. She holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership and a master’s in administration and supervision.

Tenure as Superintendent:

At JCPS, Hargens focused on improving student performance and implementing district-wide reforms. However, her tenure was marked by mixed results:

• Academic and Operational Challenges: While she introduced initiatives to boost student achievement, the district faced ongoing issues related to achievement gaps, accountability, and compliance with federal and state educational standards.
• Leadership Criticisms: Some criticized Hargens’ leadership style, particularly in handling state audits and operational challenges within the district. A 2016 Kentucky Department of Education audit raised concerns about leadership and management practices within JCPS.
• Resignation: In July 2017, Hargens resigned from her position as superintendent following increased public pressure, concerns from the school board, and ongoing challenges within the district.

Post-JCPS Career:

After leaving JCPS, Hargens continued to work in education, though she has maintained a lower profile in public education leadership circles. Her time at JCPS was seen as a pivotal period for the district, as it worked to address significant operational and academic challenges.

Dr. Donna Hargens’ unwavering belief that every child can learn serves her as she leads the country’s 28th-largest school system, with more than 101,000 students and nearly 17,000 teachers and staff.

In 2011, Donna began her position as the superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). She quickly brought together the community and education communities with a series of ongoing forums dubbed the Superintendent’s Summit. These valuable meetings allowed the School Board and her to initiate a five-year plan for the district’s future.

Donna has proven to be a distinguished and caring educator and was chosen by the US Education Secretary as the featured superintendent at the 2012 National School Turnaround Summit.

Previously, Donna served as the interim superintendent and chief academic officer for the Wake County school system in North Carolina, where she focused on reinventing struggling schools and achieved unprecedented academic gains. Before moving to the administrative side of education, she taught Spanish and English in Lomira, Wisconsin.

As a child in Wisconsin, she loved to read and was determined to become a teacher. She is the first college graduate in her family. She serves the community on many boards, including the Fund for the Arts and the Mohammed Ali Center.

Donna and her husband, Jeremy, have two adult children and one grandchild.