Local school leader named Georgia's superintendent of the year

Congratulations to Philip D. Lanoue, Clarke County School District's superintendent, who was named Georgia Superintendent of the Year last week at the Georgia School Boards Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association annual conference.

Through Lanoue's leadership, the school district is a strong ally with the College of Education in the areas of teacher training, research and professional development. With Lanoue's help, the College and CCSD have created one of the leading Professional Development School Districts in the country, giving future teachers top-notch, on-site training at all grade levels. Also, the school district's partnership with the Experience UGA program, an initiative of the College of Education, opens new doors to students in all grades.

Lanoue also serves on the College's Board of Visitors, a group of select leaders in education and professional services that works to promote the College of Education and its goals.

For the Superintendent of the Year award, Lanoue was one of four finalists selected from 30 nominees, and he will go on to represent Georgia in the national competition, which is sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators.

"This is the greatest honor I have received in my 35 years as an educator, and it is one I am proud to share with the Clarke County School District community," said Lanoue, in a news release. "Our teachers, students, parents, school leaders and community members have come together in our belief that all students can achieve. I am humbled to represent Georgia at a national level, and am very proud to be CCSD."

The award application submitted by the Clarke County School Board cited Lanoue's strong leadership, character, vision, reform initiatives and district performance. This is the second year in a row Lanoue was selected as a finalist.

In his six years as CCSD superintendent, the district has been named a Title I Distinguished District for its success in closing the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students. All middle and high schools are now International Baccalaureate Authorized World Schools.