PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia’s largest charter school network is getting new leadership.
Dr. Joel Boyd is set to replace Mastery Charter Schools founding CEO Scott Gordon, but he’s not new to the area. Boyd grew up in Dover, Delaware and was the principal of Philadelphia’s former Woodrow Wilson Middle School before his career took him to Santa Fe and Boston.
He is currently the superintendent of schools in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Boyd is taking the reins from Gordon, who is leaving Mastery Charter Schools after a 22-year tenure.
“I’ve got a lot to live up to, to simply fill Scott’s shoes,” said Boyd. “This really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come back home and serve a community that I’m deeply invested in.”
Mastery operates 24 schools in Philadelphia and Camden. Boyd sees charter schools as another option in public education, though any expansion in Philadelphia will depend on the needs and demands of families.
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“I’m looking forward to working closely with Superintendent [Tony] Watlington, making sure that here at Mastery we’re a partner in the educational environment,” he said.
Boyd is also aware that Mastery schools — Gratz Middle and High — have been shaken by recent asbestos closures and the separate shooting deaths of a teacher and a student.
“The impact that the gun violence is having directly on our families is an unspeakable tragedy that we as a city have to come together around,” he said.
Boyd, 44, signed a five-year contract. He begins the role in June.
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