MeckEd hires New Jersey advocate Ross Danis to lead local efforts

MeckEd, a nonprofit education advocacy group focused on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, announced Monday that it has hired a prominent New Jersey education figure as its executive director.

Ross Danis was the founding president of the Newark Trust for Education, a group that Charlotte Chamber executive Natalie English describes as similar to MeckEd. He resigned from that post this summer after five years.

That’s about the time that the MeckEd job opened up when Bill Anderson, a longtime Charlotte educator, left to work for the UNC Charlotte College of Education.

MeckEd is a research and advocacy group that evolved from the Chamber’s education arm and a previous education foundation. The new leadership comes as CMS is embarking on a review of student assignment, a superintendent search, a new look at construction needs and ongoing challenges with low-performing schools.

Danis, a former principal and teacher, has served on a number of advisory panels in New Jersey, including appointments by Gov. Chris Christie to review local governance and teacher effectiveness.

“Ross’ fresh perspective, coupled with his extensive background in education, experience advocating for public schools in a large urban district, and his energy and entrepreneurial spirit will truly serve our community well,” MeckEd board chair Richard Nichols said in a chamber press release announcing the hire. Danis will start Dec. 1.

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "MeckEd hires New Jersey advocate Ross Danis to lead local efforts."