The superintendent searches in two of Georgia's largest school districts appear to be coming to an end, as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned exclusively both boards have honed in on their top choices.
DeKalb County's school system is in negotiations with North Carolina superintendent Lillie Cox, who was announced as one of three finalists last month. According to sources close to the search, the board and Cox are trying to come to an agreement around severance pay and the process by which she could be fired.
The Cobb County system is close to naming Samuel T. King, superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools, its next school chief, according to sources close to the search. King was named Georgia's 2011 superintendent of the year by the Georgia School Boards Association and the Georgia School Superintendents Association. The Cobb board is expected to name King as its sole finalist.
Neither district's school board chair would confirm the information.
Identifying information about who applies for these high-profile positions is protected by Georgia law for a period of time. However, school boards are required to release the names of the top three finalists 14 days before the final vote. A finalist can drop out of the running to avoid being publicly identified.
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