By Matthew E. Milliken

mmilliken@heraldsun.com; 419-6684

DURHAM -- Superintendent Carl Harris will leave in December to take a post with the U.S. Department of Education, the Durham school district announced Monday. Harris will become the deputy assistant secretary for policy and strategic initiatives Jan. 1.

"I am so proud of the work that we have done over the last few years," Harris wrote in a message e-mailed to Durham Public Schools employees Monday morning. "It has been an honor to serve with you and to witness your commitment to making this school district a leader in so many ways."

"I have never worked with a group of parents who are more passionate about their children's education," Harris wrote in an afternoon e-mail to the general Durham community. "I thank you for the opportunity to have served our students and families and I celebrate what we have been able to accomplish together."

The departure caught local officials off guard. Minnie Forte-Brown, the chairwoman of the school board, said Harris came to her personally Sunday night to tell her he was leaving.

Forte-Brown stated in a press release that she and her colleagues accepted Harris' resignation "with heavy but deeply grateful hearts."

"Dr. Harris leaves a school system that has improved academic achievement, a significantly lower dropout rate and a slate of new schools that offer support targeted to specific student needs," Forte-Brown continued. "Durham's loss is definitely our nation's gain."

"I thought he was a very good leader for our school system in a number of ways," school board Vice Chairwoman Heidi Carter said. "The very fact that he's been selected to take this position with the U.S. Department of Education I think is an indication of just how good a job he did here."

Board of County Commissioners Chairman Michael Page said Monday that he was "totally surprised" by the announcement. Mayor Bill Bell said he had only just received an e-mail about the move Monday morning.

"Carl was an extraordinary leader here in Durham for our educational system," Page said. "I think it's a compliment to Durham that he's being sought after nationally. We're really losing a jewel."

"I think he did a tremendous job during the time he served, not just as superintendent but as deputy superintendent," said Bell, who praised Harris for interacting well with the public.

Kristy Moore, the president of the Durham Association of Educators, said Harris had positive relationships with teachers -- cordially greeting those who approached him in public, as she did before becoming association president, and regularly meeting with association representatives.

Moore also praised Harris for opening new schools -- six in less than four years, with another to come in 2010 -- and emphasizing student academics.

"I know some people don't think that, but I think he was really more focused on doing what was best for students," Moore said.

Natalie Beyer is a local parent who has become a vigorous critic of both the elementary-level Reading Street curriculum that the Durham district implemented this summer and the involvement of the Broad Foundation with Durham.

"I think Dr. Harris has been a quiet and thoughtful leader," she said. "I think he has brought a kind heart and a will to listen and innovate."

Carter expects a national search for a successor to Harris to be conducted with support from the North Carolina School Boards Association and the Broad Foundation.

Carter also wants to see some form of community engagement in the hiring process. "That's very critical and goes along with finding a superintendent that really meets the unique needs and assets of Durham," she said.

Staff writer Ray Gronberg contributed to this report.