Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Search Begins

Press Release – August 27, 2026
Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Search Begins

The search for the next Superintendent of the Gilmer County Schools is underway. At their August 13th meeting, the Board of Education voted to use Georgia Leadership Associates to facilitate the search. The search firm will carry out the Board’s directives to advertise the vacant position across the state. Vacancy announcements will be sent to all school districts in Georgia and to all Georgia RESAs. The vacancy will be posted on the website of the school system, the Georgia School Superintendents Association, and the GLA website.  The Gilmer County Board of Education understands the importance of this hire.  The Board plans to survey staff, parents, and the community about this search.  “We are hoping to get great participation,” said Doug Pritchett, Board Chair.

ANTICIPATED TIMELINE:

The Gilmer County Board of Education released the job announcement today and will take applications until the end of the business day on September 25, 2026. The Board will develop a schedule for the search that allows sufficient time for each step.  The process is anticipated to conclude with the selection of the new Superintendent by November 2026. During the search process, the Board will use survey results to aid in selecting what candidates to interview. The search plan includes a board meeting to review all applications and to prepare for the interview process.  

It is the Board’s desire to conduct a thorough search process that involves the community and employees while maintaining the necessary confidentiality of applicants until there is public release of finalist(s) as specified by state statute. The Board anticipates conducting the first round of interviews in October. A fixed number of interviews to conduct will not be established until the applicant pool is reviewed. 

APPLICANT REVIEW PROCESS:

GLA will receive and process all applications and research all applicants for the Board.  They will handle all communications with applicants, and present all information on all applicants. The Board will determine who to interview and select as Superintendent. “We handle the details of the search and provide the best possible information for the Board to make a good decision, but we do not tell the Board who to hire,” stated GLA facilitator Dr. Allen McCannon. “Our job is to secure a strong pool of applicants and to assist the Board in selecting the very best superintendent. There will be strong interest in this position because of the reputation of the school system, the community, and the Board.”

LEGAL GUIDELINES FOR HIRING A SUPERINTENDENT: 

The Board of Education wants to stress the legal requirements for superintendent selection under O.C.G.A. 50-18-72. Once the Board selects a finalist, it will announce who has been selected at least 14 calendar days prior to the meeting at which final action or vote is to be taken on the position. Under the law, the Board can name up to three finalists, but majority of Boards identify a sole finalist.  All documents for the position, pertaining to the finalist, shall be subject to inspection and copying.  The application documents of the finalist will be released to the media and public when the finalist is announced.