Clarke Schools' Lanoue Named GA Superintendent of the Year

Clarke County District Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue was named Georgia Superintendent of the Year, the school system announced Friday.

Lanoue, one of four finalists out of 30 nominees, was honored Friday at the Georgia School Boards Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association annual conference.

“This is the greatest honor I have received in my 35 years as an educator, and it is one I am proud to share with the Clarke County School District community,” Lanoue said in a news release. “Our teachers, students, parents, school leaders and community members have come together in our belief that all students can achieve. I am humbled to represent Georgia at a national level, and am very proud to be CCSD!”

Lanoue was nominated for the award by the Clarke County Board of Education. This is the second year in a row he was selected as a finalist.

“Dr. Lanoue is more than deserving to be the Superintendent of the Year,” Board President Charles Worthy said. “Under his 6-year leadership, students are achieving at much higher levels, we have formed a variety of partnerships in our community and students have a multitude of opportunities to succeed. Our Board is incredibly proud of him for being named Georgia Superintendent of the Year.”

Under his leadership, the Clarke County School District has been honored as a Title I Distinguished District for being Georgia’s #1 large district for closing the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students. In addition, student achievement has risen – especially in crucial transition years of 5th and 8th grades. All middle schools, as well as Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools, are now International Baccalaureate Authorized World Schools.

He has also been instrumental in innovative partnerships including the revitalization of the Athens Community Career Academy, a partnership with Athens Technical College. He also worked closely with the University of Georgia College of Education in forming one of the nation’s only Professional Development School Districts.

Lanoue has received a variety of accolades during his distinguished career. Most recently, he was tapped by President Barack Obama to attend a digital learning forum at the White House for superintendents at the forefront of educational technology.