Dr. Cheryl Logan and the Historic Leadership of Omaha Public Schools
When Dr. Cheryl Logan walked past the portraits of past superintendents at Omaha Public Schools, she understood the significance of the moment. Since the district’s founding in 1859, none of the leaders depicted on that wall looked like her. That changed when Logan became the first Black superintendent and the first woman to lead OPS.
Logan holds degrees from the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania. She is fluent in Spanish and began her career as a classroom teacher and moved through several leadership roles, including principal to Chief Academic Officer in the School District of Philadelphia. After being considered for superintendent roles in several districts, she was selected to lead Omaha Public Schools, which serves roughly 52,000 students and 8,000 staff members.
During her tenure, the district implemented several major initiatives. Supporters point to the passage of LB 147, which transferred oversight of the district’s pension system to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board, a s a key step toward addressing longstanding pension challenges. The district also introduced a new reading curriculum and oversaw construction of five new school buildings, including two developed in partnership with local YMCA organizations.
Logan’s leadership coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced school districts across the country to rapidly adjust operations. Under her administration, Omaha Public Schools launched a one-to-one technology initiative that provided iPads and internet access using federal relief funds. The district also partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center on a vaccine testing pilot program aimed at helping students return to in-person learning safely.
The district also introduced a new strategic plan and began turnaround initiatives at Fontenelle, Belvedere and Minne Lusa elementary schools, directing additional resources and academic support to those campuses.
Logan’s time as superintendent also included public scrutiny, particularly surrounding her contract extension and her later decision to resign before the contract concluded. Logan said the role remained meaningful throughout her tenure.
