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.
"I can't think of a better person," said board member Darlene Hotchkiss. "We appreciate your willingness to take on the role."
The move will be effective July 1, subject to a contract being reviewed by RCPS 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 effective June 30.
Conyers resident and GSBA consultant Billy Johnson currently is serving as interim superintendent, as King is making a transition to his new superintendent position in Norfolk Public Schools in Virginia, which he begins July 2.
"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," said BOE Chairman Wales Barksdale, adding that the board recently requested to suspend its search.
GSBA had developed a timeline for the board that would have a superintendent in place by November.
GSBA plans to refund its $8,000 fee that the school board already paid for the search, according to Barksdale. The board expected to spend up to $10,000 for the search.
The board will pay Johnson $11,000 for his month of work, according to his contract.
School board Vice Chair Jean Yontz said that utilizing an internal candidate 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."
He said he's "committed to the continued success" for RCPS.
"As superintendent, my sole purpose will be to ensure that all students are provided the highest quality educational opportunities necessary to become successful, productive citizens of this community and beyond," Autry said in a prepared statement.
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.
Autry has more than 26 years of experience in education working at all levels, including as a middle and high school teacher, as well as a primary and elementary school administrator, according to RCPS.
He holds a bachelor degree from East Carolina University and a masters and educational specialist degrees in the area of educational administration and supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi. His professional memberships include the Georgia School Superintendents Association, Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Gamma Beta Phi Society for outstanding scholastic achievement and both the Georgia and National Association of Elementary School Leaders.
Autry is married to Brandy and has one daughter, Hadyn Elizabeth. He enjoys spending leisure time with his family and his interests include the outdoors, the arts and gourmet cooking. The Autrys are planning to relocate from McDonough to Rockdale County as soon as economic conditions allow, he said.
More like this story
- School board names Autry as next Superintendent ( June 25, 2012 )
- School board to use GSBA for superintendent search ( May 24, 2012 )
- Autry contract similar to King's ( July 21, 2012 )
- Schools join new initiative ( January 1, 2010 )
- RCPS sets academic priorities for next school year ( March 15, 2012 )
Comments
EarlyBird 10 months, 4 weeks ago
School board Vice Chair Jean Yontz said that utilizing an internal candidate 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.
Right, Jean. We've gone a long way down since you morons hired King. Now let's hope we go a long way up.
Citizens of Rockdale, Please do not vote for ANY incumbents on the BOE this fall.
ctownslimm 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Let the backstabbing begin for Autry's old job.
TheEx 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Better yet--Wonder what Baker and his buddies think of the new superintendent?
Sundance 10 months, 4 weeks ago
I have been following this story since yesterday and have seen several comments. Many have been removed. I do not know if it is a technical logistics thing or censorship. None of all of the comments were real negative and some were positive about his promotion. I just wonder what the Rockdale Citizen is doing. there were 5 or so comments on the "breaking news" intial article and there was another long comment this morning that are all missing. I did see that the quote from Autry had been changed to correct grammar. I understand mistakes. This does look a little suspicious though to keep deleting comments. If the paper wants to censor comments, it is probably best to never let them see daylight instead of removing them after the fact. It makes me Wonder if Autry or the school board is throwing it's weight around at the paper. **This is my opinion and inquiry based on material from this article and It is written in an effort to bring true facts to light."
Elmo 10 months, 4 weeks ago
A censored discussion board is worse than no board at all.
AJK 10 months, 3 weeks ago
"I have been following this story since yesterday and have seen several comments. Many have been removed." Are you referring to these comments? Same subject, different article. http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/news/2012/jun/25/school-board-names-autry-next-superintendent/#comments
AWOL 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Mr. Autry, thank your for taking this job and for your continued service to this community. I would implore that you be sensitive to the community. Read these comments with a grain of salt. Understand that many people are frustrated and look to blame authority figures because that is what bad leaders train people to do. We ask that you get on the ground level of this school system(int the hallways and classrooms) on a regular basis like a good coach and start getting things fixed. The educators and administrators will rally around you if you can start by building trust and fixing the easy stuff. The teachers will support you if they see immediate changes. Hold the gold badges accountable. I know most people in your position balk at tackling behavior issues but this town would appreciate you hitting that first thing. We would love someone of conviction and dedication in that job and we hope that you are or will become that person. Push your principals to clean up the schools and back them when the parents complain.You grew up in this area and you know what will attract good families here. Test scores were not an issue when you and I were growing up around here. What drew my parents here in the 70s was a safe learning environment in these schools. Not grants and programs. The kind of people that want programs are the kind of people that are dependent on them. My prayers are with you that you lead with deep conviction about what you know is right. Not the latest ivy league philosophy.
justsayin7 10 months, 3 weeks ago
I ditto this statement. Not sure who wrote it but sounds like someone sees day to day what is going on in our schools. Also sounds like someone that knows, like I, the lack of leadership that has happened. I know that support and backing, as so well mentioned, is what has been missing for our educators. Enable them to teach! Require principals to get out of their office and met the kids that aren't the discipline problems. Require them to interact with these students by being seen and present at school events as well as in the hallways instead of a handshake at graduation. Mr Autry, you will not be able to measure the amount of support you will have from this county when you take these steps in just getting back to basics.
callmecrazy 10 months, 4 weeks ago
What happened to the other guy?? He was truly the best candidate - his kids went to school here so he knows the plan. Lord help us w/ King's right hand man now..
johndoemo_ 10 months, 3 weeks 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 does not 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 and heard.
NitetimeinDaytime 10 months ago
Looking forward to seeing some positive changes.
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