The Clark County School District’s chief academic officer who was one vote shy of becoming superintendent has been assigned a new role.

Mike Barton, a 20-year school district employee, will focus on closing achievement gaps as the chief college, career and equity officer. The district’s new superintendent, Jesus Jara — who competed against Barton for the top job — announced the move Monday afternoon.

The cabinet-level position is new to the district, but it’s a lateral move for Barton. District officials said he will not receive any pay increase.

Barton’s prior responsibility of supervising school associate superintendents will shift to newly appointed Deputy Superintendent Diane Gullet, who worked with Jara in Florida. Gullet most recently served as an area superintendent for Orange County Public Schools in Orlando.

Jara announced Gullett’s hire last week. He’s also bringing aboard Jennifer Cupid-McCoy, principal of Freedom High School in Orlando, who will be his chief of staff.

In his new role, Barton will focus on addressing factors that affect student achievement for underserved populations while also ensuring all students graduate ready for college or careers.

“Dr. Barton is experienced, passionate and connected to organizations around the community who advocate on behalf of all students,”Jara said in a statement. “We can be the number one district for kids if we serve all students, regardless of the challenges they face at school and at home. This work is integral to the district’s success, and I look forward to having Dr. Barton lead this effort as a key member of my executive team.”  

Barton started his career as a first-grade teacher at Ullom Elementary School in 1998. He has taken several leadership roles since then, including as principal of West Preparatory Academy, and has been involved in equity-focused community organizations such as My Brother’s Keeper.

"I find the opportunity to assist our most underserved students in this role as a great privilege and much needed area of focus,” Barton said in a statement. “Dr. Jara and I share the same passion regarding all students and want to ensure that existing opportunity gaps close rapidly. I am honored to serve in this cabinet role supporting the vision to close achievement gaps and create strong college and career pathways for students."   

Barton was considered the frontrunner internal candidate during the hunt for Clark County’s next superintendent. He had strong support from educators and community members in the West Las Vegas as well.