DALTON, Ga. — Colleagues remembered former Dalton Public Schools Superintendent Allene Magill as an innovator dedicated to public education.

Magill, who was superintendent of Dalton schools from 2001 to 2003, passed away Saturday unexpectedly at her home. She had been the executive director of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) since July 2003.

Those who served on the Dalton Board of Education while Magill was superintendent remembered her passion for education.

“Allene always had a positive attitude and believed all students and educators were capable of being successful,” said Tommy Boggs, a former Dalton Board of Education member and chairman. “She was a strong advocate for public education and believed it is the foundation of our great country. She was a visionary who was never afraid to try something different, especially if she felt it was best for the learning process. Although she was only at Dalton for a short period of time, she had a positive impact on our system and worked tirelessly while she was here to move the system forward. I was saddened to hear of her passing because she has had such a positive influence on education in the state of Georgia and will be greatly missed.”

Former board member Steve Williams said Magill was instrumental in setting up what was known as the international academy in the Morris Street School, a place for older students with little or no English language skills to enter into the school system.

“She knew so much about education and the management of education systems,” he said. “She had great political connections throughout the state.”

Former board member Mark Orr said Magill was a great advocate for education.

“She could get the ear of people in the Capitol (in Atlanta) that other educators probably couldn’t,” he said. “She had that sort of respect. She got things done. She didn’t take no for an answer. She was great to have on our team. She was only here for a couple of years. But she made connections and friendships that lasted long after she left.”

After leaving Dalton schools in 2003, Magill became the executive director of the PAGE, which is Georgia’s largest professional association for educators with 93,000 members. She held that job until the time of her death.

“She had quite an impact on every community and every school district she was ever associated with,” said Craig Harper, PAGE director of communications and Dalton Public Schools Chief Administrative Officer. Harper also worked with Magill at Dalton Public Schools. “She was just a dynamic, visionary leader. She was so energetic and so determined to move forward toward whatever goal she she set her mind on and always putting students first.

“Allene always saw great potential in people and helped all with whom she worked to do even more than they thought they were capable of doing, and not just in educators and leadership but in support staff,” Harper said. “She worked with them to make sure they understood their role in the organization and how we all worked together for the benefit of the students.”

In education for 44 years, Magill was also superintendent for Paulding County and Forsyth County schools. She was chosen as superintendent of the year for Georgia twice, was on the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, was president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders. She also provided leadership on many education-related state committees, most recently on the Educational Turnaround Advisory Council, which chose the state’s new chief turnaround officer for struggling schools.

Funeral services for Magill are today at 2 p.m. from the West Ridge Church, 3522 Hiram Acworth Highway in Dallas, Ga. Interment will follow in Paulding Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may made to the Dr. Allene Magill Scholarship Fund, PAGE, P.O. Box 942270, Atlanta, GA 31141, or online at the PAGE website, www.pageinc.org.