The Jackson County Board of Education has named the current principal of North Oconee High School as the sole finalist for the county's superintendent job.
Phillip Brown has nineteen years of public education experience and has served as the principal of North Oconee High School since May 2011. Superintendent April Howard announced in October 2021 that she would be retiring at the end of the school year.
A press release from the school system said Brown has also served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and middle school principal in the Oconee, Echols and Camden county school systems.
The naming of Brown is the culmination of a four-month-long search by the Jackson County Board of Education. In November, the board employed search consultants King-Cooper and Associates. Eighteen applications were reviewed, and the candidates were all screened and vetted.
The board must wait at least fourteen days before taking an official vote to employ Brown.
Brown is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a B. S. Degree in Middle Grades Education with a focus in math and science. He has a Master of Education in Instructional Technology and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in Middle School Education in 2013.
Brown is married to Katherine Brown, who serves as the principal of Oconee County Primary School. They have four children.
