As of Thursday, February 9, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
CONYERS -- Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Samuel King has withdrawn his application for a superintendent position in Louisiana.
Barbara Freiberg, president of the East Baton Rouge School Board, said Thursday that he withdrew his application Wednesday afternoon.
"He cited that it probably was not the best time for his family," she said. "I certainly understand what it is like to have a teenager and how it would be to move."
She said she had been looking forward to asking him some more questions on Tuesday, when he was scheduled to come in for his next interview.
"After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I have chosen not to move forward," King said in a statement on Thursday morning.
In late January, King was chosen as the sole finalist for the position.
"I think his record of success and closing achievement gaps was outstanding," Freiberg said. "That's why we were looking forward to talking to him."
Earlier in January, King was chosen as one of six semifinalists chosen to replace outgoing Superintendent John Dilworth, who announced in May that he would not seek an extension of his current contract. Originally, the East Baton Rouge School Board used the national search consultant PROACT Search to obtain a list of 44 candidates in the fall.
"We'll get there," Freiberg said Thursday.
The East Baton Rouge system is made up of approximately 43,000 students, compared to Rockdale's 16,000 students.
King has worked for nearly seven years as superintendent of RCPS and has spent more than 25 years in education teaching math and science at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
He was named Georgia's 2011 Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia School Boards Association and the Georgia School Superintendents Association after being a finalist for the previous three years. He serves on the advisory committee for the Vision Project for Public Education in Georgia to improve learning in the 21st century and as president for the GSSA.
He also has served as president of the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Service Agency Governing Board and a member of the National Education Association, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and several other educational groups. He was on the Governor's Education Advisory Board in 2011.
Last year, King reportedly was a candidate for superintendent positions in Cobb and DeKalb counties.
More like this story
- King chosen as sole finalist for Louisiana position ( January 26, 2012 )
- Rockdale superintendent up for Louisiana position ( January 18, 2012 )
- King takes superintendent post in Virginia ( May 15, 2012 )
- State Superintendent of the Year: King named finalist for second year ( May 30, 2009 )
- No official word on King status with Cobb school superintendent opening ( April 26, 2011 )
Comments
Frustrated 1 year, 3 months ago
Okay BOE, Kiing has shown you he doesnt want to stay here so why not give him his walking papers? Find someone that is dedicated to the teachers and students and is willing to do what it takes to make the schools better.
TheEx 1 year, 3 months ago
That is absolutely what they should do. That is what would happen in the "real world" if someone pursued three "lateral-move" jobs in just one year. What does the BOE think will happen when the time is "right" for his family and his children are out of private school? I hope this move will not result in another "bonus" being given to King for achieving ambiguous goals he made up for himself. And I have to ask--don't you check with your family first before wasting everyone's time and embarrassing yourself by getting as far in the process as he did and then backing out?
RobertPeele 1 year, 3 months ago
His child does not go to private school. Some of you need to actually step in to the schools instead of drawing your opinions from rumors and the newspaper. Rockdale is in excellent shape based on the socio-economic status of the majority of the population. RCPS is a top 30 school district in Georgia and does so with over 60% of our students coming from economically disadvantaged households.
WayBack 1 year, 3 months ago
I don't know anything about his son, but I do know that I agree with the posters you're responding to, and I know that at least one of them is a teacher, so I'm thinking he/she steps into one of our schools every single day. This guy obviously wants to leave us-- he's working hard to get out of here-- and the success in our school system does not depend upon anyone at the county office level in my opinion. The responsibility seems to fall most heavily on those of us working in the trenches: the teachers. My job is spent teaching all day, contacting parents, conferencing with parents, grading papers, preparing to teach, researching in order to prepare top-notch lessons for my students, and figuring out how to juggle the useless paperwork thrown at me from his office. I thrive on the first things on that list-- juggling the pointless paperwork is soul killing. My fellow TEACHERS and I are the reason our school district is a top school district. My fellow TEACHERS and I are the reason our students from low income households are finding some relief at school. My fellow TEACHERS and I are the reason students with disabilities are getting specialized help. The people with gold badges, scrambling and loading us up with useless red-tape that they don't even USE once they have threatened and cajoled it out of us, are creating busy work for us so that they can prove that they're doing something. Dr. King isn't a bad sort, I'm sure, but I will always take issue with anyone who wants to give him credit for our school system's success. I have spent the last few years OVERCOMING the things his office has asked of us, not prospering from them. My fellow teachers and I are the reason your children are finding success.
Freedom1 1 year, 3 months ago
Top schools based on what criteria? Have you looked at the past 3 year's End of the Course Test results compared to the High School Graduation tests? The disparity shows the true state of the quality of learning going on. The more "disadvantaged children" means more Federal money, and this administration and Board are open about their priority on bellying up to the public trough at the taxpayers expense. Only 3% of Reduced and Free Lunch applications are required to be validated in Rockdale. The enrollment was reported as reduced, and at this week's BOE meeting, the enrollment is back up. How many students from other counties are we taking on, residency unverified, to ensure those Federal dollars, which tie us to compliance costs and requirements to the Federal agenda and away from local control?
VeritasVincit 1 year, 3 months ago
One child is in a private school, one is public. Just because we are at the top of the trash pile does not mean we do not stink. Georgia and education as a whole in this great nation is falling behind as we focus more on data talks and test scores. Yes I criticize because I want a better education for ALL students. Look at states that are faring better or even other nations. They do not treat the students as numbers from standardized assesments, they look at the individual as a human with potential and shape and encourage from that point forward. Both sides need to dismiss this "socioeconomic" garbage. The amount of money a family has does not indicate the intelligence level of a person. It does, however, differentiate on the opportunites available. The public school system is the great equalizer for those opportunities, if we treat the student as an individual and not a number. I will now step off of my soap box.
RobertPeele 1 year, 3 months ago
Socioeconomic status has everything to do with the ability to learn. If you didnt know where your next meal was coming from, had to worry about where you would sleep tonight or worry if the power was going to get turned off when you get home would you be able to do your job at a high level? Education doesnt take place in a vaccuum.
ctownslimm 1 year, 3 months ago
What if, instead of interviewing with other school systems, he picked the 10 teachers with the lowest scores in the county or worst classroom management and mentored them? Or picked any other problem that our schools have and tried to solve it? Shoot. Everyone knows Memorial is a terrible place. He could camp out over there till it was fixed. I can think of a hundred things he could do to improve this system while he is kicking his feet up in that office thinking of ways to improve his resume and career.
Frustrated 1 year, 3 months ago
Im not sure I would want him mentoring anybody
WayBack 1 year, 3 months ago
Everyone knows that Memorial is a war zone. Now, he'd have my respect for certain if he set his sights on that place and actually went in there (I mean, WENT to the school and worked there in the building) and tried to help from within. I'd bet my paycheck that the teachers and admins there would appreciate it tremendously.
rockdalehomeowner 1 year, 3 months ago
So who was the Superintendent when The Lost Children of Rockdale aired? I wonder what the parents were saying then...Memorial Middle School a war zone? I doubt that! Spend time with your kids because they are a reflection of yours or your neighbors parenting. My kids have actually excelled at Memorial because the clock is ticking and they know my mantra, "It's the American way to have your own residence, refrigerator, car, pay taxes and NOT live with your parents!"
heresyafacts 1 year, 3 months ago
I don't know who the Super was during that time, but I do know that discipline in the school and classrooms was enforced, and that it was a different time period completely: we didn't have to lock the school bathrooms to keep the students from having sex, or send in cops to break up fights. We didn't have the permissive atmosphere that allows students to do and say what they want to teachers or to other students, without fear of repercussions, or an admin that turns a blind eye on code enforcement. That's the issue here - that, and the continual dumbing down of subject matter/grading systems, lack of administrative support for teachers, grift in the free lunch program, student cross-over from other counties, top-heavy budget devoted to large admin salaries, etc. etc. etc. These are numerous, system-wide, weighty issues that the current Super is not addressing. If your kids tow the line, great - my concern is with the ones who aren't and with the admin's unwillingness to deal with them.
VeritasVincit 1 year, 3 months ago
Should the good doctor have of consulted with his family before applying to such a distant district? While I applaude an individual for wanting to do better for themselves should one step on others to reach new heights? What will happen when then old order of the board changes? But most of all what is happening to the students as they are turned into data rather than encouraged to become individuals?
mark 1 year, 3 months ago
I do not understand why we keep him. Everyone involved knows that the graduation rates are a farce. Students fail math two, three even four times and yet they are allowed to graduate. Parents who's children will amount to nothing are happy to get the worthessless diploma. The whole system is a joke and it is just getting worse. Time to wake up Rockdale and make a change.
thescot 1 year, 3 months ago
This is terrible news for the students and tax payers of Rockdale County.
Spydee 1 year, 3 months ago
Maybe not a withdrawal... maybe they just did not want him so WE get stuck with him
bryanstephens01 1 year, 3 months ago
A lot of complainers is all i see here. There's nothing wrong w/Rockdale schools and they aren't decaying. That school system has moved forward vastly under his leadership by all standards. Some of you should stop sitting around reading and commenting on blogs, and actually get out and do some fact finding. You have one of the best superitendents in this state, and if he wants to better himself then so be it! But, stop w/all the nonsense and falsehoods you're posting and hiding behind your little screen names. Be a grown up, and be active in your community! Stop with the negativity!!
mark 1 year, 3 months ago
Facts are graduation rates are up but graduation standards are way down if you believe Rockdale schools are better now than ten years ago you need to follow Dr. King and leave. Your departure would increase the counties average intelligence.
wayne 1 year, 3 months ago
We all have something to do with the COUNTY'S average intelligence.
Freedom1 1 year, 3 months ago
Absolutely true if your goals are to allign yourself with the international educrat agenda, no school choice, increased spending for education ADMINISTRATION on the back of the taxpayers, and Federally Centralized Education with National Standards. This isn't about teaching anymore. Why did the School Board extend his contract last year until 2013 when it was to expire this year? What games are actually being played here? Perhaps you should do some research into the Project Vision and the legislative priorities of the RCPS and the GSSA.
Sundance 1 year, 3 months ago
Bryan I want you to read what you just wrote. You said, "There is NOTHING wrong with Rockdale schools". You need to sub at Memorial or Rockdale or Salem then revisit that statement. Or just walk into one of those schools and ask a the first 10 students you see with their phone out to put it up. Or even better, try to take the phone up. You will then recant your statement. The only thing I like about your statement is that I am sure DR King agrees with you. From his office looking at numbers and from wherever you work, I am sure it looks fine. Get in the halls and see if your mind changes.
heresyafacts 1 year, 3 months ago
A face-saving move on his part, b/c it was clear that the school board there was not going to approve him. Too bad. I really want him to find another job and MOVE ON OUT.
TheEx 1 year, 3 months ago
Nothing wrong with Rockdale schools. Same used to be said about several other neighboring school systems. Hmmm. . . teachers are still leaving RCPS in droves in the midst of an economic downturn, students are showing entreprenurial spirit at CMS selling prescription pain killers (must be a fundraiser), and thugs at Salem are getting arrested after just horsing around (must be wrestling season). I'll stop there. Problem is Dr. King has tried to better himself three times in just one year. He doesn't want to be in Rockdale, and Rockdale deserves someone who wants to be there. Stop drinking the kool aid and learn how to spell superintendent (must be a RCPS graduate). We would love to have your positivity in our schools! Look forward to meeting you.
Freedom1 1 year, 3 months ago
Reminder folks, the first RCPS Budget hearing is next Thursday at 6:45 PM at 954 Main. They are all saying it's "doubtful" that the millage rate will be increased for 2012-2013, but the digest is already down 8%, we are in no better shape than we were last year when Member Brad Smith proposed last year's rate increase, we're not out of the woods yet. What is the agenda of the Federal Dept of Ed? You would do well to examine the Georgia School Superintendent Association's Project Vision, which includes making the State Superintendent an appointed position rather than elected, and making schools "Hubs of the Community" with "cradle to career" data tracking for the students. When the voices of the students and administrators become more important than the voices of the community and teachers, you have a problem.
Outcry 1 year, 3 months ago
I find it quite funny how one man takes the blame for student scores that are actually caused by non-participating parents who dont contribute to their kids education. With so many state requirements and limited time to teach, teachers hands are quite full. To add to that, you have students who come to school with no home-training, no self-respect , respect for other students, authority or teachers. But you expect teachers to work magic and produce great scores. Sorry folks, it begins in the home. His job is to administrate, your job is to send a child that is prepared to learn...so prepare them.
Sundance 1 year, 3 months ago
Discipline, safety, and rule enforcement is the job of administration. You are right about many of our citizens not teaching proper values to students but our schools are allowing this bad behavior. Schools are allowed to expel students.
retiredandhappy 1 year, 3 months ago
I read the comments that were written about this article. I am writing as a teacher that was actually there in the schools. It is unbelievable what has become of our Rockdale schools since Dr. King took over. The administrators are totally inept yet continue to keep their jobs. Dr. King never set foot in the schools and we rarely saw the prinicpals in our rooms. But, if our scores on our tests were low, believe me, we heard about it! It didn't matter what kind of class you had or the kind of gains they made, if their scores were not on target, then you were labeled a "bad' teacher. You did not dare spead against the administration or you were a "troublemaker!" MANY teachers have left this system. Check the retirement over the last several years. I was lucky enough to be able to retire! But, many must stay and are afraid to speak up! Teachers have been fired, tenured or not, and the others know it! If Dr. King wants to go, please wish him well and say good-bye. Please do not let him continue to make fools of you all! He has it made!
gofigure 1 year, 3 months ago
DARN!
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