Bartow School Board Hires Firm To Search For New Superintendent

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The Bartow County School Board on Monday took another step in efforts to find the next superintendent to lead the system. The board at its Dec. 11 meeting voted to hire King-Cooper and Associates to carry out the board's request to advertise the superintendent post for potential candidates.

The firm notes vacancy announcements will be dispatched to all school districts in Georgia and the state's Regional Educational Service Agencies. Current Superintendent Dr. John Harper announced earlier this year he plans to step down in April 2018. The vacancy will also be posted on several websites, including those belonging to the Georgia School Boards Association and Georgia School Superintendents Association.

“There will be strong interest in this position because of the positive reputation of the school system, the community and the board," said Frank King, senior partner of King-Cooper and Associates. "Bartow County is one of Georgia’s most desirable and attractive school systems."

The school board has slightly modified the timeline of its search. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 29, 2018, and members anticipate conducting first and second round interviews during February and March. By mid-March, board members plan to announce up to three finalists and elect a new superintendent from that pool by late March 2018.

Bartow County community members and employees will play a large role in the quest to find the district’s next leader. In January, the board will survey community members and employees to establish a profile by which all applications will be evaluated. Board members will also use that profile to determine who to interview and employ as superintendent.

The search firm will receive and process all applications, research and handle all communication with applicants, and present information on all candidates to the school board for consideration.

“We don’t tell the board who to hire," said Sandy Addis, lead facilitator of the search. "Our job is to secure a strong pool of applicants and to assist the Board to select the very best superintendent for Bartow County."

Dr. Harper announced his retirement on Sept. 25 after more than 10 years with Bartow County Schools. New leadership, said at the time of his announcement, will bring "new ideas and a new vision on how to serve the children of Bartow County."

Image via Shutterstock