As of Tuesday, June 26, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
CONYERS — The Rockdale County Board of Education has named Rich Autry, chief academic officer in the Office of Teaching & Learning at Rockdale County Public Schools, as its next superintendent.
During a special called session Monday afternoon, the board unanimously selected Autry, who has been a chief academic officer since 2008.
The move will be effective July 1, subject to a contract being reviewed by general counsel Jack Lance and finalized. The annual base salary will be $175,000.
The board had been using the Georgia School Boards Association as a search agency for its next superintendent; current Superintendent Samuel King announced his resignation in May. Conyers resident and GSBA consultant Billy Johnson currently is serving as interim superintendent.
GSBA plans to refund its $8,000 fee that the school board already paid for the search, according to school board Chair Wales Barksdale. The board expected to spend up to $10,000 for the search.
"The board began to follow the process used when previous superintendents left the system, and that process quickly revealed we already had the most qualified candidate in the system senior staff, so we began discussions, which led us to this point," Barksadale said.
School board Vice Chair Jean Yontz added that the decision will help with "continuity" and a seamless transition.
"We've come a long way, and we want to continue to go that way," she said.
Autry first came to RCPS in 1993 as a teacher, and then worked in Butts County before returning to RCPS as principal of Hightower Trail Elementary School in 2000. He was principal for six years until being promoted to assistant superintendent for Support Services and then for the Office of Teaching and Learning.
"I am excited," Autry said during Monday's meeting, which interrupted a previously planned vacation. "I appreciate the support."
Autry said he is "indebted" to King, who he calls a friend and a mentor.
"Things he modeled and taught me and the things we learned together will serve us well," Autry said.
Return to www.rockdalecitizen.com for more updates as they become available.
More like this story
- School board pegs Autry as next superintendent ( June 25, 2012 )
- RCPS sets academic priorities for next school year ( March 15, 2012 )
- School board to use GSBA for superintendent search ( May 24, 2012 )
- Teacher surveys for Race To The Top begin in Rockdale schools ( November 14, 2011 )
- Changes to RCPS gifted put on hold ( April 19, 2011 )
Comments
dtabor5 11 months ago
I am hoping that things will be better, I have known him for a long time ( he was my boys principal) but it seems when they get into these positions they forget where they come from and forget what is best for the students... keeping my fingers crossed....
ClaytonBigsby 11 months ago
How have they "come a long way"? A long way down, perhaps. Let's compare SAT scores, graduation rates, and the number of students who ultimately graduate from college to figures from, say, 1992, to pick a year. Tell us then, Ms. Yontz, how you've "come a long way".
It's disappointing to read the adulation for King emanating from Autry.
thatguy 11 months ago
Good luck, Rich! We are rooting for you!
VPublicola 11 months ago
Based on my first impressions, which resulted from two separate direct interactions with Autry, I am not impressed.
I certainly hope that with this substantial increase in pay for Mr. Autry that the contract will not impose the payroll deductions for his retirement (TRS & separate retirement), health care, dental, and other benefits on the taxpayers. Like evey other employee of the RCPS, Mr. Autry should have to and definitely can afford to pay those monthly premiums out of his healthy salary. This would be a positive change that apparently was unbecoming of his predecessor.
Finally, I hope that the contract has objectively stated and measurable criteria for annual performance unlike the subjective bunk included in his predecessor's contract. Otherwise, we are starting out with no improvement and are, once again, straddled with the ineptness of the current BOE.
johndoemo_ 11 months ago
"Things he(King) modeled and taught me and the things we learned together will serve us well," Autry said.
I hope this doesn't mean Autry will continue the "Hands-off" approach. This system needs leaders constantly visiting schools and working with individual principals developing leadership. I may be wrong but I got the impression that King stayed out of the schools and managed by scores at the end of the year. Data is only one way to measure success. A winning coach didoes sit in his office and check the score on the radio. He is on the field watching and making adjustments. He encourages, affirms, corrects, and benches players based on what is happening real time. Our system leaders are not involved like that and neither are most of our principals from what I have seen.
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