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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Revolving Door In Fulton Continues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fulton County’s superintendent is expected to retire just before his three-year contract expires this June, adding to the growing list of schools chiefs who have come and quickly gone from the system in recent years.
According to this story by AJC education reporter Michelle Shaw, James Wilson, a former Cobb County administrator, will step down on June 1 — five days prior to the expiration of his contract, June 6.
Apparently, there was no explanation given for Wilson’s impending departure. County Board of Education members are expected to discuss the search for a new leader next week.
Wilson succeeded Michael Vanairsdale, who left in February 2005 after barely a year on the job. Vanairsdale’s resignation came in the midst of an investigation of cost overruns and questionable accounting practices in the sales-tax-funded school building program.
Fulton’s leader before Vanairsdale, John Haro — recruited from Minnesota — lasted only five months before he abruptly departed for family reasons.
By the time Wilson leaves, Georgia’s fourth largest public school system will have gone through three chief executives in five years.
So has Fulton just run into a string of bad luck or are there more serious issues at play here?
UPDATE: While Fulton County will be searching for a new superintendent, Gwinnett County Board of Education members are holding onto theirs. Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks’ contract, which was set to expire in June, has been extended for two more years. Currently in his 12th year on the job, Wilbanks is the longest-serving schools chief in metro Atlanta.
