LEAD Public Schools Announces New Head of Schools and Chief HR Officer
Today, LEAD Public Schools announced that Nic Frank will serve as head of schools, succeeding LaVoe Mulgrew following her retirement at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
Frank, who currently serves as LEAD’s chief HR officer, will spend the 2026-27 school year working alongside Mulgrew to ensure a smooth transition.
LEAD has hired Dr. James Witty to replace Frank as chief HR officer. Dr. Witty brings 28 years of experience working in education. Most recently, he served as executive officer of human resources at Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).
“Nic’s experience as a teacher, principal, and network leader make him an ideal fit for the head of schools role, and his leadership will ensure stability and vision for our future,” said Dr. Ricki Gibbs II, chief executive officer at LEAD Public Schools. “We are also thrilled to welcome Dr. Witty to our leadership team, whose experience leading human resources at a large school district makes him an invaluable addition to our team as we continue to grow and support our educators.”
The 2026-27 school year will include a phased onboarding process. During the first half of the academic year, Frank will serve in a hybrid capacity, advising HR operations during Dr. Witty’s onboarding while simultaneously integrating into the role of head of schools. Following the successful onboarding of Dr. Witty, Frank will focus exclusively on the head of schools transition alongside Mulgrew through June 2027.
“I am honored to serve LEAD in this new capacity,” said Frank. “I look forward to working alongside LaVoe this coming year and welcoming Dr. Witty to our team as we continue to prioritize the growth and success of our students and staff.”
