Despite introducing himself to Henry County citizens at four town hall forums last weekend, Dr. Timothy Gadson will not be the new schools superintendent.

During a special called meeting on Monday, members of the Board of Education decided to withdraw the contract offer for Gadson.

Board members initially went into executive session to privately discuss contract details for the potential new superintendent. However, in open session the board voted 3-2 to rescind the offer entirely.

According to J.D. Hardin, communications and community relations coordinator for Henry County Schools, the board decided that Gadson’s contract demands exceeded past salaries. The AJC has filed an Open Records Request for Gadson’s demanded salary. Rodney Bowler, the current superintendent for the school system, had a $213,000 salary in 2016.

Since Gadson was the sole finalist for the position, the board will now restart its search for a new candidate. The board has traditionally used its in-house human resources department to find candidates to fill the position, but opted to contract with the Georgia School Board Association to find Gadson, Hardin said.

Bowler will remain the superintendent until the end of September.

The process began in April when Bowler announced his retirement. Applications for the position opened at the end of April and closed at the end of May, and by the end of June the board had named Gadson as the sole finalist for the position.

He had also been a finalist for superintendent of Hamilton County Schools in Tennessee in June, but did not receive the position.

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