Dr. Robert Downs has been named as the sole finalist for the Superintendent's post at Buford City Schools.
Downs, a 1985 Johnson High School graduate and native of Chestnut Mountain, will succeed Geye Hamby and formally be appointed to the role at a specially called board meeting February 25, according to a media release from the school system.
“I am very excited and honored to be named as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent of Buford City Schools. This is a community with a strong tradition of excellence and I look forward to joining the family. I do want to thank the committee and Interim Superintendent Joy Davis for the many hours and expertise they brought to the extensive search process. I look forward to many years of service to this outstanding community," said Downs in the media release.
The nine-member search committee was chaired by former superintendent Beauty Baldwin. The committee presented a short list of candidates to the Board of Education, and the board conducted interviews before deciding on Dr. Downs.
Downs is currently an Assistant Superintendent of Cobb County Schools, and he was selected from a pool of 92 applicants representing 15 states. Previously, Downs served as principal of Pope High School and Lost Mountain Middle School, assistant principal at Wheeler High and Sprayberry High. He has also served as a Technology Integration Specialist for the Cobb County School District.
Hamby resigned in August 2018 after being named in a lawsuit that accused him of using racist language in two recorded conversations, and discriminating against a black employee.
Davis has served as the Interim Superintendent since that time.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/1/758223/chestnut-mountain-native-dr-robert-downs-named-sole-finalist-for-buford-city-schools-superintendent