J. Alvin Wilbanks, the longtime superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools, will not be allowed to complete his current contract, following a vote Thursday by the county's school board.
According to published reports, the vote to buy out Wilbanks' contract came along party lines, with Democrat board members voting to remove Wilbanks early from the job and Republican members voting against the move.
Wilbanks' last day on the job will be July 31, 11 months ahead of the date listed on his current contract. Wilbanks had announced earlier this month he would not ask for a contract renewal.
"This decision to make this motion was not taken lightly by any of us," said board vice-chair Karen Watkins in a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are committed to serving the needs of all our students. … I hope our community can embrace different leadership, new leadership that can build upon our past success created by our current superintendent, Mr. Wilbanks." Watkins made the motion for the early termination of Wilbanks' contract, according to the newspaper.
Wilbanks was named superintendent of what is now the state's largest school system in 1996. The Gwinnett Daily Post published a statement from Wilbanks, released after the school board vote.
“In light of the addition of new members to the Board and my decision not to seek another contract, this vote is not surprising. While I was prepared to fulfill my contract through June of 2022, recent discussions with the school board made it clear that would not be the case. I appreciate the support I have received over the years, and, especially most recently, from staff members, parents, and community members. I want you all to know what a pleasure it has been to lead this district, to be a part of the GCPS family, and to be a contributing member of this great community. I know that when the time comes, I will proudly hand back to the Gwinnett County Board of Education and our community a school district that is in better shape today than it was when I became superintendent.”
The board’s decision means Wilbanks will be paid 11 months’ salary.
