Garry Merritt has a special relationship with Douglas Anderson. He attended Douglas Anderson when it was an elementary, junior high and a traditional high school before it became the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. A Jacksonville native, Merritt has served on the DA School Advisory Committee for years, worked to archive its rich history and helped plan the Douglas Anderson #107 Alumni Association’s 100th Celebration in 2022. He is a Morgan State University graduate, earned a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and completed studies in Public Administration at the University of Pittsburgh. Merritt’s 35 year career in public education has proven helpful.