Assistant Superintendent Wins Outstanding School Business Official Award

The Cherokee County School District’s assistant superintendent for financial management has won the top state award presented by his peers.

Candler Howell is the winner of the 2014 Outstanding School Business Official Award presented by the Georgia Association of School Business Officials. The award was announced at the professional association’s recent annual conference held last week in Augusta.

The annual award recognizes one association member “who exemplified professionalism, leadership and innovation in the field of school business management” and gives outstanding service to their school system, the profession, their colleagues and their communities.

Howell, who is retiring this month, joined the school district 27 years ago as its chief financial officer, a role he has held ever since. During his tenure, he led the department through the community’s significant growth including a tenfold increase in the district’s operating budget, as well as through challenges such as the recent economic downturn and state austerity budget cuts of more than $121 million over the last five years.

During his tenure, Howell worked under the leadership of three superintendents and previously was employed as senior auditor for the state of Georgia Department of Audits. He and his wife have one son and two daughters, who both are teachers in Cherokee County schools.

“Candler exhibits the organization skills, competence and professionalism of an outstanding auditor and financial management expert, while maintaining a systematic and common sense approach to dealing with extraordinary fiscal challenges and a thoughtful and personable demeanor in dealing with colleagues and employees at all levels of the CCSD organization,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said.

Howell will be recognized for this honor by the superintendent and Cherokee County School Board at the Dec. 4 meeting.

Photo: Candler Howell: Credit: Cherokee County School District