BOE names new superintendent

The Rabun County Board of Education recently named Dr. April Childers as the single finalist for the position of Superintendent of the Rabun County Schools at a meeting of the Board on March 11.

The Board voted unanimously to name Dr. Childers as the single finalist for the fourteen-day period of public notice as required by Georgia law.

After reviewing applications and interviewing a number of excellent candidates, the Rabun County Board of Education determined that Dr. Childers is the best applicant for the position of Superintendent.

According to current Superintendent Melissa Williams, the Board selected Dr. Childers from among the pool of 35 applications received from across Georgia and the southeast.

Because of the importance of Superintendent selection, the Board devoted a great deal of effort and time to the Superintendent search and followed a structured and process over a four-month period. The Board advertised the position widely and considered community and employee input to develop the profile and selection standards that were used in the search process.

A number of skills, traits, and accomplishments caused the Board to select Dr. Childers as the next Superintendent.

“She is well matched to the characteristics and qualifications rated most important by school system employees and community members. In electronic surveys, both staff and community emphasized the need for prior success as a classroom teacher, willingness to listen to parents and staff, ability to be a visible part of the schools and the community, ability to direct the system’s financial affairs, and a strong work ethic,” said Williams. “The employees and staff members surveyed universally indicated a preference for a Superintendent who is honest, ethical, has a record of success in prior positions held, and whose value system is well matched to that of the Board and community.”

Dr. Childers grew up in Cave Spring, Georgia and is a graduate of Coosa High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Shorter College in 1994 and holds both a masters degree and an education specialist degree from the University of Alabama. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Argosy University in 2005. Dr. Childers has spent her entire education career to date in Floyd County Schools. She has served in Floyd County as a teacher, instructional coach, executive internship coordinator, data analyst, principal, and director of strategic planning. She has served as Deputy Superintendent of Floyd County Schools since 2015.

When informed that she was the Board’s choice to serve as Superintendent of Rabun County Schools, Dr. Childers stated, “It is a great honor to be named as the single finalist for Superintendent of Schools by the Rabun County Board of Educatäon. My husband and I are very excited about the challenge and opportunity. I am delighted to be joining a great team of educators and to become part of what is clearly a wonderful community.”

Regarding the Board’s selection, Board Chair Steve Cabe said, “We considered a lot of very good applicants for the position and we sincerely appreciate all of the great leaders who offered their services to Rabun County. We were all impressed with the knowledge, skills, leadership style, enthusiasm, and accomplishments of Dr. Childers. The Board is convinced that Dr. Childers is the right person and the right fit for our school system at the right time. We have an excellent school system, we’ve benefited greatly from the leadership of Mrs, Melissa Williams as our Superintendent, and we will continue the tradition of great schools for our students and community under the leadership of Dr. Childers.”

In the coming weeks, details of Dr. Childers’ employment will be developed by the Board and formal action to employ her as Superintendent is expected in late March.