Schools
Finalist Withdraws Name From Fulton Superintendent Post
Philip Lanoue, superintendent of the Clarke County School District, was in the running to replace Dr. Robert Avossa.
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JOHNS CREEK, GA -- The Fulton County School Board is going back to the drawing board in its effort to find a new leader for its school system.
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The board was informed that finalist Philip Lanoue withdrew his name from consideration as a candidate to become the system’s next superintendent.
“Dr. Lanoue feels a strong need to remain as superintendent in Clarke County,” Board President Linda McCain said. “We thank Dr. Lanoue for his interest and wish him well.”
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Lanoue is the superintendent of the Clarke County School District, which has been embroiled in controversy after a student came forward to say she was raped by three male students in a stairwell at Cedar Shoals High School.
The student reported the incident Jan. 7, but parents didn’t learn of the alleged assault until Feb. 4, nearly a month after the report and days after the students were arrested, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
McCain added the board will continue in its search, as they have a number of highly qualified candidates to choose from.
“In fact, choosing a finalist was difficult because of the quality of those considered for the position,” she added.
Board members and the search committee relied “heavily” on a community survey taken in late 2015 that asked residents and stakeholders what they expected in a new schools superintendent.
More than 1,600 responses led to a consensus that the next superintendent should have:
- Teaching experience
- Instructional and curricular expertise
- School leadership experience, and
- Prior experience as a superintendent would be desired, but not required
The next superintendent should possess a visible leadership style and be:
- Honest, ethical and visionary
- A problem-solver
- A strong communicator
- Accessible
- Flexible and comfortable with change and innovative practices.
“We are confident our choice will be an educational leader who meets the challenging criteria residents and staff demand and deserve,” McCain added.
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Image via Fulton County Schools/Clarke County School District
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