Atlanta declines to extend superintendent

By all measurable accounts, Meria Carstarphen’s tenure as superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools has been a major success.  Since her hiring in 2014 to help turn around a school system wracked by scandals, graduation rates have improved by more than 20% and test scores have skyrocketed.  In spite of her success, the APS board Chairman Jason Esteves announced Monday that Carstarphen’s contract would not be renewed.  Esteves cited a need for “long-term stability,” but Carstarphen’s unwillingness to get cozy with teachers unions seems a more likely culprit.  The controversial decision to remove a the high-performing Carstarphen has the school system SINKING…