View source for Craig Witherspoon

[[Image:Craig Witherspoon.jpg|right|thumb|Craig Witherspoon]]
'''Craig Witherspoon''' (born c. [[1966]]) is the superintendent of [[Birmingham City Schools]]. He took over for interim Superintendent [[Barbara Allen]] in March [[2010]].

Before coming to [[Birmingham]], Witherspoon headed the Edgecombe County, North Carolina school system for four years. After taking the job, one of his first initiatives was a plan to reduce the number of assistants and secretaries working in administration.

As superintendent, Witherspoon has pushed to implement many of the goals of the [[Birmingham Education Foundation]] and courted support from business leaders. Initiatives advanced by Witherspoon include the creation of "career academies" in city high schools and the expansion of International Baccalaureate programs in city schools.

In August [[2011]], the [[Birmingham Board of Education]] gave Witherspoon a 3.24/5.00 performance rating. On [[April 6|Good Friday]], [[2012]], in the midst of a disagreement over how to evaluate his job performance, a special meeting was called which many believed would result in a vote to buy out the remainder of Witherspoon's contract. The superintendents supporters rallied at [[Linn Park]] and the special meeting was canceled.

A new board, more supportive of Witherspoon, was sworn in following the [[2012 Birmingham municipal election]]. In July [[2014]], Witherspoon was given a four-year contract extension. Evidence of accounting irregularities surfaced later that year. Witherspoon announced his resignation, effective [[December 31]], 2014, during a meeting on [[October 7]] of that year.

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{{Succession box | title=Superintendent of [[Birmingham City Schools]] |
years=March [[2010]]–[[2014]]| before=[[Barbara Allen]] (interim) | after=[[Spencer Horn]] (interim)}}
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==References==
* Leech, Marie (December 19, 2009) "Craig Witherspoon promises to restore Birmingham school system's trust." {{BN}}
* Gray, Jeremy (August 15, 2011) "Birmingham school board gives superintendent an evaluation of 3.24 out of 5." {{BN}}
* Leech, Marie (April 5, 2012) "Birmingham school Superintendent Craig Witherspoon's job on the line Friday in special school board meeting." {{BN}}
* Crain, Trish (April 12, 2012) "[http://alabamaschoolconnection.org/2012/04/12/the-superintendent-and-the-board-a-cautionary-tale/ The Superintendent and the Board – A Cautionary Tale]" Alabama School Connection
* Underwood, Madison (October 7, 2014) "Craig Witherspoon out as Birmingham City Schools superintendent." {{BN}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witherspoon, Craig}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Birmingham schools administrators]]
[[Category:Birmingham superintendents]]