GAINESVILLE – A sole finalist has been named for the Gainesville City School System superintendent's post, a little over seven months after Dr. Wanda Creel's announcement that she would be stepping down at the end of her contract.
School Board Chairman Brett Mercer said at Monday evening’s board meeting that the board had reached a decision and was ready to nominate Dr. Creel’s replacement. Mercer looked to his left and to his right and asked board members, “At this time do I have such a motion?”
Board member Willie Mitchell responded and said, “I make a motion to identify Dr. Jeremy Williams as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of Gainesville City Schools with a negotiated, mutually-agreed, compatible contract for that purpose, in order to confirm his hiring at the May 1st Board of Education meeting.”
Board member Sammy Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, and then added his thoughts about the duration, intensity and thoroughness of the search process.
“The process was pretty arduous. It was made personally more difficult with the caliber of applicants that we entertained, particularly, even more so, at the interview and second interview level,” Smith said.
“Speaking personally, our decision became even more difficult,” Smith confided. “(But) we coalesced and brought in a unanimous way to offer this position to Dr. Williams, who knows the system and he knows many of you…and is enthused about coming here.”
Williams, who currently serves as Associate Superintendent of Union County Schools, a position he has held for four years, is a native of Habersham County and had his student teaching experience at Gainesville Middle School.
Williams received his Bachelor of Science diploma at the University of North Georgia in 2003 before matriculating at Piedmont College where he earned his masters and doctorate degrees.
Mercer added, “Once we are able to come to terms with him over the next couple of weeks, he and his wife and two children plan to be moving into our community.”
Williams is currently on spring break and was not available for comment.
School CFO feels no increase in millage rate a possibity
Chris Griner, school system Chief Financial Officer, made a detailed presentation of the first draft of the FY2018 city school budget.
Explaining that this initial budget is built off the FY2017 budget, with modifications as needed, Griner said it appeared that roughly $2.75-million would be needed from the General Fund balance to make the FY2018 budget balance, and that would be acceptable according to state-mandated guidelines
“I think based on what we built,” Griner said, “if we kept the millage rate at 6.85 where it is…because of our conservative budgeting…I feel comfortable that, I think, we’ll be able to keep it at least at 6.85 and have a lot of discussion on whether to roll it back.”
But budget discussions FY2018 are in their infancy, Griner acknowledged, and what eventually he and his staff present to the board for their consideration and approval on May 15th could change.
