TRENTON, Ga. - Dade County, Ga., school board members unanimously chose a finalist for new superintendent Thursday night from an initial pool of 45 applicants.
Shawn Tobin, who will step down as principal of Central High School in Carroll County, Ga., got the informal nod from the Dade board to replace outgoing superintendent Patty Priest, 62, who has held the job since March 2005.
A formal vote to approve Tobin will take place after the 14-day period required by Georgia law for public notice. Dade officials said a special meeting for the vote will be called in early January.
Tobin, 48, a native of Chicago, has served as assistant principal of Central High, director of the Carrollton City Alternative School and assistant principal of Turner Middle School in Douglas County. He also worked as a teacher and coach at Carrollton Junior High School and Dalton Junior High School, according to biographical information supplied by Dade officials.
Tobin has 23 years' experience in education, 13 of those as an administrator, he said.
He said he sought the job "because of the reputation of Dade County."
"I love the area. I love the people," he said. "I like the idea of four schools that seem pretty cohesive in working together."
Tobin said he looks forward to drawing on Priest's experience and local knowledge.
Board of Education members said in October that they wanted to move on a replacement quickly because Dade County has a $2.6 million, three-year federal School Improvement Grant and $1.3 million in Race to the Top funding at stake.
Board members said they wanted the new superintendent to become familiar with the system and the federal grants' requirements before Priest leaves.
Newly elected board member Jeff Forester, who takes office in the new year, supports the current board's unanimous decision.
Board member Ronnie Page said after Thursday's meeting that he feels "real good" about the board's choice.
"I think he stuck out from everybody," Chairwoman Carolyn Bradford said of the pick.