Marietta, Rockdale superintendents among 4 finalists for state's best

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two Atlanta-area school superintendents have been named finalists for the best in Georgia for 2011.

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ANDY SHARP/Special Emily Lembeck, superintendent for Marietta City Schools.

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Clayton County school system Sam King, superintendent for Rockdale County Schools.

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Emily Lembeck, superintendent for Marietta City Schools, and Sam King, superintendent for Rockdale County Schools, are among four who will vie for top honors, the Georgia School Superintendent Association said.

Lembeck became the first female superintendent in Marietta's history when she took the post in July 2005, following several years of teaching and administrative positions. King, who began his career as a fifth grade math teacher in Stone Mountain, took over as Rockdale superintendent in 2005.

The four finalists were chosen from a field of 20, the GSSA said. The other finalists are Chris Erwin of Banks County and Leonard McCoy of Colquitt County Schools.

All four finalists must now submit an application that will be judged before a winner is named Dec. 3. The Georgia winner will then represent the state in a national competition.