Board seeks input on choosing schools chief

Floyd County BOE officials say they plan to use feedback from school governance teams in their search for a new superintendent.

Community input will play a part in choosing the next superintendent of Floyd County Schools.

During the board of education’s work session Thursday, members discussed ways to get input from parents, teachers and other community members about characteristics they’d like to see in the system’s next superintendent.

Tim Hensley, assistant to the superintendent, spoke with the board about the possibility of holding meetings with local school governance teams from each of the four districts — Armuchee, Coosa, Model and Pepperell.

“This came about because I was thinking about the charter and how involved the LSGTs need to be in the selection process,” explained Chairman George Bevels.

Hensley said the charter doesn’t require LSGT involvement but it would be a good idea to get input.

“This includes the whole community, really,” he said. “It is good to gain knowledge and get information from our stakeholders about what they want.”

The board has received input from LSGT members several times before — in hiring principals and in selecting Jay Shell as a board member to replace Brian Barcomb earlier this year.

Board member Tony Daniel said he feels it’s a good idea to do it in choosing a new superintendent as well.

Hensley said he would arrange meetings in September for the LSGTs in each district to gather together to give their feedback to board members, and advertise it to the community. He said he also would come up with a way for the community to submit suggestions or feedback via email or comment cards.

During a called meeting Aug. 14, the board voted 3 to 2 to end its contract with Superintendent Jeff McDaniel early. He will serve until Sept. 30, or longer if the board is unable to find an interim replacement.

The board plans to discuss interim replacement options in the future, Bevels said.