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 felt the weight of history. Since the district’s founding in 1859, none of the faces on that wall looked like hers. That changed when she became the first Black superintendent and the first woman to lead OPS.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania, Logan built her career from teacher to principal to Chief Academic Officer in the School District of Philadelphia. After being a semifinalist for other superintendent roles, she was selected to lead OPS, serving roughly 52,000 students and 8,000 employees.

Her tenure was defined by both progress and scrutiny. Supporters credit her with resetting the district’s long-troubled pension system through the passage of LB 147, transferring oversight to the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board. She introduced a new districtwide reading curriculum and oversaw the construction of five new schools, two in partnership with local YMCAs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Logan led OPS through unprecedented disruption. She implemented a one-to-one technology initiative, providing iPads and internet access to students using federal relief funds. She also partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center on a vaccine testing pilot that helped students return to in-person learning sooner.

Logan shepherded a new strategic plan and launched turnaround efforts at Fontenelle, Belvedere and Minne Lusa elementary schools, directing additional resources to historically underserved communities.

Her leadership also drew criticism, particularly after receiving a contract extension and later announcing her resignation before its end. Logan maintained that leaders have the right to leave on their own terms.

“The opportunity to be the superintendent is an honor and a privilege,” she said. “There hasn’t been one day I took that for granted.”