Prestigious Atlanta Independent School Welcomes Transformational Technology and Innovation Leader as CIO
Westminster
Since its founding in 1951, The Westminster Schools (Westminster) has built a distinguished legacy as one of the most prestigious and high-performing K-12 independent schools in the Atlanta region. A large institution with the scale and magnitude of a small liberal arts college, Westminster combines academic rigor and professional excellence with a values-driven commitment to inclusion, affirming the dignity of all people as central to its identity as a Christian school. Operating at a capacity that requires enterprise-level thinking, Westminster relies on well-developed systems, thoughtful governance and the effective use of technology and data, guided by a highly experienced leadership team.
Westminster introduced the chief information officer (CIO) position in 2019 as a cabinet-level position reporting to the president to provide executive leadership for the school’s IT and information systems functions and to support Westminster’s operations. Now, the next CIO will continue this work and focus on refining departmental structure, expanding cybersecurity efforts, advancing data governance, and ensuring that systems and infrastructure reliably support the school’s mission across academics, athletics, and operations. Westminster sought an experienced technology leader who values relationships and collaboration, can set clear strategic direction and goals and brings demonstrated expertise in enterprise systems oversight, data governance and cybersecurity, and team leadership. The CIO will build on existing capabilities rather than starting from scratch, aligning technology practices with institutional priorities and partnering closely with senior leadership to support Westminster’s long-term vision. The CIO will report to the incoming president and supervise a team of 10–11 technology professionals in the department. The incoming president will be involved in the later stages of this search, and will also join Westminster this summer following a graceful handoff from the retiring president. Westminster looked forward to welcoming its next CIO in summer 2026, or earlier by mutual agreement.
Westminster was thrilled to welcome Eston Melton to the position.
Meet the new leader
Eston Melton brings extensive experience leading technology strategy, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence initiatives, and organizational transformation in K–12 education. Mr. Melton has built high-performing technology teams in service of teaching and learning, enhanced institutional security, and supported data-informed decision-making across complex educational environments. Most recently, Mr. Melton served as Chief of Safety & Technology Services for City Schools of Decatur, where he led technology operations, cybersecurity, data governance, instructional technology, and districtwide safety initiatives. During his tenure, he transformed technology operations through enterprise-level modernization efforts, secured significant E-Rate funding, developed district AI governance practices, led the creation of a jointly operated municipal fiber network projected to save more than $1 million over 20 years, and earned statewide recognition for his leadership during the COVID-19 transition to remote learning. Mr. Melton holds an M.A. in Education and a B.A. in English and Psychology from the University of Virginia.
