Sole Finalist Named For Cherokee Superintendent Post

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The Cherokee County School Board in December could appoint a new face to serve as its superintendent of schools.

Board members will hold a called meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 to consider naming Dr. Brian Hightower as the man to replace outgoing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo, who is set to retire on Feb. 1, 2016.

Prior to the board’s vote, a presentation on Dr. Hightower’s experience and credentials as well as a public input period will be held during the meeting.

The meeting will take place at the Historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium in downtown Canton.

• RELATED: Dr. Petruzielo Announces Retirement Date

School Board Attorney Tom Roach said he received four additional completed applications for the post. Those applicants requested their names be withdrawn from consideration, he added.

Hightower currently serves as the Cherokee County School District’s deputy superintendent of School Operations, Programs and Support, a position he’s held since 2013.

He previously served as director of School Operations from 2003 to 2011 and assistant superintendent of School Operations between 2011 and 2013.

Before ascending to the central office, Hightower served as a teacher (1987-1996), assistant principal (1996-2000) and principal (2000-2003) at E.T. Booth Middle School.

Before coming to the Cherokee County School District, Hightower taught at Cass High School in Bartow County between 1986 and 1987.

Hightower received an associate’s degree in 1983 from Reinhardt University; a bachelor’s degree in education in 1986 from Kennesaw State University; a master’s degree in education in 1993 from North Georgia College and State University; an education specialist degree in 1996 from Georgia State University; and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2007 from Samford University.

He also received an education leadership certificate in 1997 from the University of West Georgia and gifted certification in 1994 from KSU.

Hightower is a member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

At the local level, Hightower is sits on the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, Cherokee YMCA Board of Directors and Chattahoochee Technical College Community Advisory Board.

He’s also a 2000 graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Cherokee initiative. He and wife, Sue, have two adult children, Jonathan and Stephanie.

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