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Connell out as superintendent

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The often fractious tenure of Coweta’s school superintendent came to a dramatic end Wednesday afternoon.

The Board of Education and Superintendent Peggy Connell agreed that she would no longer head up the school system and that she would be out of her office by today.

Although Connell will vacate school property today, the board agreed to pay her $140,000 salary, car allowance and health benefits through December 31, 2005.

Earlier this year, the board had extended her contract through 2007.

In the separation agreement that will be accepted at a called meeting this morning, no specifics are given for the separation.

The only hint comes in two paragraphs of the agreement that “disputes and controversies have arisen between the board and Connell over the operation of the school system and other issues.”

The agreement further states that it is in the best interests of the school system, the taxpayers and Connell that she leave her position.

Both the board and Connell are bound not to discuss the issue further and the only statement came from board chairman Rick Melville Wednesday.

"Dr. Peggy Connell announced her separation today as Superintendent of Schools for the Coweta County School System, effective immediately,” the statement read. “Dr. Connell began her tenure in April, 2002. Her constant focus has been strengthening a solid curriculum program, which has led Coweta County students to achieve unprecedented success. This past year for the first time the three Coweta County high schools had an average SAT score of over 1,000.

“The system achieved an overall pass rate of 96 percent for its third graders on Georgia CRCT. Two of the county's graduating seniors were named National Merit Finalists in May, 2004. Recently, Central Educational Center was named a National Model High School.

“Dr. Connell's leadership and vision is also reflected by her role in expanding the arts program in Coweta County. During her term of office, Dr. Connell oversaw the completion and opening of Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, the hiring of the Fine Arts Director, implementation of a middle school strings program, and the creation of a county-wide honors chorus and a collaborative summer play performed by students from all three high schools.

“Dr. Connell presently is under contract to serve as Superintendent of the Coweta County School System through June 30, 2007. Although Dr. Connell is willing to continue to serve as Superintendent through the term of her employment contract, Dr. Connell agrees that it is in the best interest of the School System and its students to mutually part ways under the terms of a Separation Agreement agreed to by the Superintendent and the Board of Education.”

The board also entered into an agreement with Assistant Superintendent Chris Scott. Scott’s official resignation day will be June 30, 2005, but he will be on paid administrative leave until then. Scott had filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights and agreed to withdraw his complaint.

The final action to be taken at the Board meeting today is the appointment of Dr. Blake Bass as superintendent.

Bass has served 26 years with the Coweta County School System as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of human resources, and most recently as Associate Superintendent. Bass is a member of Newnan Kiwanis Club, First Baptist Church of Newnan, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Coweta County YMCA and the Flint River Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

He will be paid the same salary as Connell and his contract runs until 2008.