Clarke County Superintendent Lanoue Named Finalist for State Honor

By Anisa Sullivan Jimenez

Clarke County School District Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue has been named a finalist for Georgia Superintendent of the Year. The Georgia School Superintendents Association recently named this year’s four finalists. 

“I am honored to be recognized by my peers, but I am most proud that the work of our district is recognized by others that believe all students can achieve,” said Lanoue. “This is a district recognition that highlights the progress made by our students, through the support of parents and community members, and the commitment by our teachers and school leaders.”

Finalists will now complete the American Association of School Administrators application, which will be judged by a committee. A single winner to represent Georgia at the national level will be announced at the Georgia School Board Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association conference.

Said Board President Charles Worthy, “Dr. Lanoue has done a super fantastic job in improving student achievement in the Clarke County School District. He is not a ‘desk superintendent’; he is in our schools being a hands-on and effective leader.”

Lanoue was nominated for the award by the Clarke County Board of Education. In the application, they cited his strong leadership, character, vision, reform initiatives and district performance. Under Lanoue’s leadership, the district has seen a variety of successful reforms and increased performance, including:

• Non-Negotiable Practices for High Student Performance were established, with stringent expectations of research-based and data-driven instructional practices.
• The drop-out rate was significantly decreased by sending personal letters to every drop-out and working with administrators and board members to personally visit these former students. 
• With the University of Georgia’s College of Education, a Professional Development School District was created. 
• The Athens Community Career Academy was opened – a partnership with Athens Technical College, the University of Georgia and OneAthens. The Career Academy provides free college credit to district students ages 16 and up.
• All middle schools – plus Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools – are International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme candidate schools. 
• A clear federal and financial audit was given for the first time in recent history, demonstrating improved efficiency and financial controls.
• A variety of district accolades were received, including:
       o In 2010-11, the district was named Title I Distinguished District-Large District for closing the achievement gap between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students.
       o In 2011, all 14 elementary schools plus two middle schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – the state’s former measure of achievement under No Child Left Behind.
       o The graduation rate is 70.1% – above Georgia average for the first time in recent history.
       o For 2013, 92% of students in grades 1-8 met/exceeded state English/language arts standards, 86% did the same in English/language arts and 80% did the same in mathematics. These are all increases          since Lanoue’s arrival, and major strides have taken place in closing achievement gaps between subgroups.

“Dr. Lanoue is a transformational leader,” said David Huff, vice-president of the Board of Education. “In the past it has felt like we have been playing defense in the Clarke County School District. Now it feels like we’re on offense.”