The Ankeny Board of Education announced Tuesday that it has selected Erick Pruitt as the next superintendent of schools for the Ankeny Community School District. Pruitt, who will be the first person of color to lead the school district, is currently the deputy chief of high schools for Chicago Public Schools. He will begin on July 1 in the position, which is currently held by interim Superintendent Al Azinger. “Ankeny Community School District shares my commitment to academic and lifetime personal success for every student,” Pruitt said in a news release. “I want to be part of a district that is proud of its success but seeks ways to continuously improve outcomes for students. Ankeny is the kind of community my family and I want to be a part of and the kind of district my career has prepared me to lead.” Earlier this year, the district worked with HYA & Associates to develop a leadership profile, followed by a national search. Pruitt has held chief of schools positions and was also an elementary principal in Chicago, and earlier in his career was a school support officer in Houston. He has a doctorate in educational leadership from National-Louis University in Chicago. He also holds a Master of Education in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Purdue University.