Finalist Named For Fulton County Schools Superintendent

FULTON COUNTY, GA -- The Fulton County Board of Education announced today Michael “Mike” Looney, Ed.D. is the finalist for the position of Superintendent of Schools. Since December, the Fulton School Board embarked on a nationwide search, receiving a great amount of interest in the position and interviewing a diverse group of candidates before making the announcement today of Looney as the final candidate.

“Dr. Looney has a very impressive background and track record of success during the ten years as superintendent in his current district. The Board believes his experience and leadership skills will complement the amazingly talented teachers, principals and staff, and our focus on student achievement,” School Board President Linda Bryant said in a release. “We are excited for Dr. Looney to visit our schools and engage with the community over the next few days and weeks.”

Looney’s qualifications line up directly with the key elements identified by the Board and confirmed in their recent community survey. Looney has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Alabama and has been a superintendent for 14 years. For the last 10 years he has served as the Superintendent for Schools in Williamson County, Tennessee, near Nashville. Under Looney, ACT scores have risen from an average of 22.7 to 25.4, and the district has increased participation and pass rates in AP, dual enrollment and dual credit courses. In 2015, Looney was named by his peers as the Tennessee Superintendent of the Year.

“Fulton County schools have been doing some amazing things, and I look forward to meeting many of you and hearing your questions and concerns,” Looney said in a release. “It would be an honor to serve this community and work with so many dedicated educators in the schools and district office.”

A Marine veteran and recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Looney worked his way up the educational leadership ladder from substitute teacher, to teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and finally superintendent. He previously served as superintendent of the Butler County School District in Alabama, and as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Montgomery, Alabama. In 2008, he was named the Greenville, Alabama Citizen of the Year.

As prescribed by Georgia law, the school board must give a minimum of 14 days for public input on a finalist for the position of Superintendent. To ensure Looney has the opportunity to engage a broad cross section of individuals in Fulton County, the Board will host the candidate at a total of five meetings where the public may come, meet him, ask questions, and learn about his vision for the district. In addition to the public meeting in Sandy Springs at the North Learning Center where the announcement was held, these meetings will take place at Roswell High School, Westlake High School, Centennial High School and Banneker High School.

Meeting times to meet Looney include:

• Wednesday, April 17
  • North Learning Center @ noon, Board Meeting Room, 450 Northridge Parkway Sandy Springs, GA 30350
  • Roswell High School @ 6:30 p.m., Auditorium, 11595 King Road Roswell, GA 30075
• Thursday, April 18
  • Banneker High School @ 5 p.m., Auditorium, 6015 Feldwood Road, College Park GA, 30349
  • Westlake High School @ 7 p.m., Cafeteria, 2400 Union Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
• Friday, April 19,
  • Centennial High School @ 10:30 a.m., Auditorium, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell, GA 30076

Background articles:

• TOSS Fall Feature - 2015-2016 Superintendent of the Year (Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents)
• From Good to Great: One-On-One with Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney (Williamson, INC.)
• Skydiving superintendent loves to fly (Brentwood Home Page)
• Williamson Co. Director Of Schools Talks About Life As Homeless Youth (Nashville, News 5)
• Williamson superintendent to speak at son's MTSU graduation (Tennessean)