Friday, August 10, 2001
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Friday, August 10, 2001 |
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School board launches national search for superintendent The search is on. ... The Coweta County Board of Education voted Wednesday to retain the services of Glenn Brock, of Brock, Clay, Calhoun, Wilson and Rogers, PC, Marietta, and Jerry Ingram to manage the search for a new superintendent. Since June 2000, the board has been aware that Superintendent Richard Brooks would be retiring at the end of his contract in June 2002, completing 30 years with the system. Brooks was asked by the board to stay until June 2002 to ensure that the board has adequate time to conduct a nationwide search for the new superintendent. He also indicated that he wanted to see to completion of two very important and positive projects he had initiated for the system, namely the Central Educational Center and the Fine Arts Center. The board has discussed how to best approach locating and hiring the next superintendent. Accordingly, the board reviewed several options and interviewed two search firms. Brock and Ingram has handled a number of searches throughout Georgia. The firm has a successful track record in that all superintendent searches they have conducted were successful, said board members. Every superintendent placed by this firm is still in position and some have already had their contracts renewed. Among those successful searches are Cobb County, Bartow County and Cherokee County. According to board members, another reason they chose this search firm is because the firm handles only one search at a time so it will be able to give full attention to the Coweta County search. The board also was able to successfully negotiate a contract with this firm that ensures that no fee will be paid unless a successful candidate is selected. Coweta County Board of Education Chairman Mike Sumner summed up the board's outlook on this process: "We are excited about this proven search process and we are excited about the great opportunity we have to ensure continued excellence for this school system." The board has indicated that the process will begin immediately. Although the search is a personnel matter, the public will have the opportunity to know who the finalist(s) are at least two weeks prior to any action being taken. Citizens also will have the opportunity to give their input as to the qualities they would like to see in their new superintendent. The board is preparing a survey form that will be available to all. The board will receive that input from the public and all interested parties are invited to participate. The board is not going to place any artificial time line on the search process, but board members expect to have the new superintendent selected by the first part of 2002 so the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with Brooks for the 2002-2003 budget, as well as further ensure that a smooth transition occurs. The search will be national in its scope and will include non-traditional candidates, but board members are quick to point out that they will look at all candidates including current employees of the Coweta system. "Our objective is simply to find the best person to serve as our next superintendent," said Sumner. "Mr. Ingram and I are pleased to have the opportunity to manage the Coweta County School System superintendent search, said Glenn Brock, search consultant. "Coweta County enjoys an excellent reputation. The stability of the school system, combined with the citizens' continued support, will make this system very attractive to top quality superintendents," he added.
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