UPDATE Dec. 11
Seattle Public Schools announced a public tribute today for Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson.

"We are writing to let you know that a public tribute for Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 14 at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 7396 Rivers Avenue North in Charleston, South Carolina. Private services for the family will be held on Saturday."

Dr. Goodloe-Johnson, who served as Seattle’s Superintendent from 2007-2010, passed away on Dec. 5 after a long battle with cancer. Our deepest sympathies go to her husband Bruce, their daughter Maya, and her step-daughter Brittany.

We understand a fund is being planned for Maya, and we will let you know as soon as we have that information.

If you have a memory you would like to share with Maria’s family, we are compiling a book of photos and memories for the family. Please email your story or photo to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org by Dec. 28th and we will include it in the book.

UPDATE Dec. 6

John Boyd, former Chief Sealth High School Principal for seven years, and a colleague of Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson, shared some thoughts with Robinson Newspapers about her passing. He is now one of three executive directors of K-12 Schools for Highline, is an advisor, and is involved in Highline Athletics.

"The last word that I remember hearing was that she was doing OK in the battle. And then all of a sudden the news came that she passed away. I had sent her emails of hope and 'Just hang in there'.

"I'm actually a fan ( of Dr. Goodloe-Johnson) and was there during her whole tenure. When she interviewed for the position and I was part of that interview process and was real pleased that they hired her. I thought she did a lot of excellent strategic planning and put a lot of good things in place.

"She was really clear and gave us direction and i think many of the things she put in place will be a legacy for her, and for the district. Unfortunately, her ending in Seattle was really difficult but I remain a fan of hers, professionally and personally."

----------------------------------------------
Original story Dec. 5:

Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson, the former Seattle Schools Superintendent, has died.
Seattle Public Schools issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying "All of us at Seattle Public Schools are saddened to learn of the death today of our former Superintendent, Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson.

"We are grateful for her years of service to Seattle Public Schools and her efforts during her four-year tenure here to put our students on the path to academic success. The fact that we have seen consistent improvements in student academic achievement is a testament to her leadership.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Bruce and daughter Maya."

According to WSCS, the CBS affiliate in Charleston, S.C., "The former Charleston County School District Superintendent (...) passed away.

"Family members of Dr. Goodloe Johnson say she had been sick for about a year. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, according to her family.

Dr. Goodloe Johnson was the first black woman to fill the role of superintendent in Charleston County."

Goodloe-Johnson was fired from her position in March, 2011, after a state audit found the school system wasted or misspent $1.8 million on a training program run by Silas Potter.

She then took a post in the Detroit School District. According to a Detroit Public School website dated Nov. 10, 2011:

"Deputy Chancellor, Instructional Support and Educational Accountability: Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson.

"Dr. Goodloe-Johnson is a career educator whose most recent position was Superintendent of the Seattle,WA Public Schools. During her tenure in Seattle, student enrollment increased, test scores outpaced state averages and private foundation support for the district increased dramatically. Prior to Seattle she served as the first African-American and first woman appointed as superintendent of the Charleston County, South Carolina School District. During her tenure in Charleston Countythe average SAT scores for students increased by 30 points."