Arthur Wayne Johnson said he’s the most qualified candidate to lead Hamilton County Schools because his background is not in education.
“I bring skills that most people that have a career in education don’t have,” he said during his in-person interview Monday night.
Johnson is a businessman based in Georgia with a long résumé detailing the companies he’s founded and work he’s done in the banking and credit card industry. Johnson doesn’t have experience working in public education, but he earned his doctorate in education leadership last year.
Johnson is the first of the five superintendent finalists scheduled to spend the day in Hamilton County, with the remaining four candidates, including Hamilton County Schools Interim Superintendent Kirk Kelly, to each interview on different days this week. During the daylong interview, the candidates are to meet with central office staff and tour Hardy Elementary, which is currently hosting a summer program for kids. The candidates will also have time set aside to spend with elected officials, education stakeholders and the community throughout the afternoon.
The day concludes with an hour-and-a-half interview with the school board.