Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Philip Lanoue was named as the sole finalist to become superintendent of the Fulton County School District on Friday, Feb. 5. “The thing that I really like about him the most as he stayed in the superintendency is that didn’t talk as much, he listened,” Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said.Photo from ODYSSEY Archives.
By KEVIN MOBLEY – Print Editor-in-Chief
Clarke County School District Superintendent named sole finalist for Fulton County School District vacant superintendent position.
After seven years as Clarke County School District superintendent, Dr. Philip Lanoue announced on Friday, Feb. 5 that he would be moving to the Fulton County School District as the sole finalist for FCSD’s vacant superintendent position.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected by the Fulton Board of Education as the sole finalist to lead the Fulton County School System,” Dr. Lanoue said in a press release by the Fulton County School District Department of Communications. “To begin a new endeavor was not a decision I took lightly, but I look forward to working with the board, the staff and the broader community to build on their successes and make this district high performing for all children.”
Lanoue, who was named Georgia Superintendent of the Year in December 2014 and National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators on March 2, 2015, will begin serving at FCSD effective at some point this spring.
“Fulton County is getting a visionary leader, one who cares about all kids and one who’s hands-on,” Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said. “He knows about instruction in and out. He leads by example. I think the thing that they’re going to realize is that he will be the one that takes them to the next level.
Lanoue announced his move to the CCSD faculty and staff in an email before meeting with the Clarke County Board of Education on Friday morning.
“We have enjoyed unparalleled support from the Athens-Clarke County community, and it has been my honor to be part of that story. I know I will continue to hear of success and innovation from the Clarke County School District,” Lanoue said in that email. “Thank you again for your support these last 7 years, as parents are our most important partners. I will always be Proud to be CCSD.”
Lanoue began as superintendent of the CCSD during the 2009-10 school year, and since then has enacted initiatives to reduce the achievement gap, which Title I distinguished as the state’s No. 1 large district to reduce this divide between students of different demographics and to cater to needs of all students.
“I think we’re going to miss his presence in that Clarke County is sometimes a difficult community when it comes to the educational piece, but he’s able to balance both ends of it: the high poverty and the high affluence,” Hooker said.
Administrators and staff all echoed the sentiment that Lanoue prioritized students, innovation and improvement.
“Dr. Lanuoe is a change agent. He thinks outside the box. He does a lot of reading on how to make the school system better, in particular Clarke County. He’s always going to know that we’ve got to keep growing,” CCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Sheila Dunham said.
