HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Harrisburg School District on Wednesday announced the hiring of Dr. Benjamin Henry as its new superintendent.
A former Regional Assistant Superintendent of Polk County Schools in Florida, Henry oversaw 29 schools during his four-year tenure. Henry has more than two decades of experience as a public school teacher, beginning his career as a special education teacher in Polk County before moving to Hillsborough County, where he became a middle school math teacher. Henry then returned to Polk County to serve as principal, where his Title 1 school became one of Florida's highest-rated schools of excellence.
Henry was then appointed to serve on the Education Ethics Committee by Florida's governor.
"Dr. Henry has a genuine passion for meaningful teaching and learning, and is committed to ensuring that all students in the Harrisburg School District receive a word-class education," the school district said in a press release. "Dr. Henry has always prioritized equity, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, respect, and innovation throughout his career in education. He strongly believes in the principles of equity, which were deeply ingrained in his approach to education by his mother, who grew up in South Carolina as a sharecropper's daughter and struggled in school due to a lack of resources. Dr. Henry's mother instilled in him a dedication to service, hard work, and ensuring that all students receive a world-class education, regardless of their background."
Henry holds a bachelor's degree in special education from Alabama State University, a master's degree in computer information systems, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
Henry will assume his role as Superintendent on November 1, the school district said.
Until then, Dr. Marcia Stokes will continue to serve as Acting Superintendent.
