BY ANITA STIEFEL
ANITAS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — At a special called meeting on Oct. 23, the Lee County Schools Board of Education announced two finalists to fill the superintendent position which will be vacant when current Superintendent Mac McCoy retires on Dec. 31.
Dr. Mike Howard of Jacksonville, Alabama, and Dr. John Tucker of Phenix City, were named finalists.
Howard, who is currently superintendent of Jacksonville City Schools, earned a doctorate in rural education from the University of West Alabama. He previously served as superintendent of St. Clair County Schools and has extensive experience as a principal, assistant principal and teacher dating back to 2000.
Tucker is currently a school effectiveness specialist at Muscogee (Ga.) County Schools, having retired last June as superintendent of Camden (Ga.) County Schools. He earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Sarasota and has prior experience as a principal, deputy principal, assistant principal, teacher and coach since 1987.
The board accepted applications for the superintendent position from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30. After reviewing the credentials of eight qualified applicants— each of whom held a doctoral degree and had experience as a principal, classroomteacher and administrator — board members used a point system to rank candidates. Both Howard and Tucker were ranked as top five candidates by all or almost all board members.
The board anticipates scheduling public interviews during the week of Nov. 6 through 10, which would allow for a possible selection decision before its next meeting on Nov. 14. The new superintendent will begin on Jan. 1, 2024.